GOOD recently brought you four days of reporting on the historic signing of The Paris Agreement in New York City. We told you the exciting part about how it’s a record seating pact that got more nations to sign on than any previous accord in history, and we also told you the scary part about how the chances of actually accomplishing the goal of the Agreement—to keep Earth’s temperature from rising 2 degrees celsius—is scientifically almost impossible given the tenants of the document. Crap.
We want to be optimistic. We really do, but when science tells you the Agreement you worked so hard to broker isn’t up to snuff it’s disheartening. So why not throw some more disappointment fuel on your fire? In the video above you will see the “progress” we’ve made combatting greenhouse gas emissions since 1995, when the first UN “conference of the parties” climate talk took place. The results are… not good. Frankly, they’re terrifying. As the climate discussion has gotten louder, so too has the world began to develop faster and faster, with massive countries like China and India growing at a staggering rate. This means more industrialization, and more pollution. And it also means we, as a planet, desperately need this Paris Agreement to make a meaningful impact on the problem of Earth getting hotter really fast.
If you’d like an extended look at how carbon dioxide circulates around the globe over the course of a year, NASA has this handy visualization of their own. Appropriately, CO2 swirling through our atmosphere looks a lot like oil sliding around in a puddle on the ground. Get your facemasks and your fans, everyone! The forecast for the future is hot with a high chance of particulate matter in the air.
-------
Written and Produced by Gabriel Reilich
Graphics by Jake Infusino
--------
Data Sources: https://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/news_docs/jrc-2014-trends-in-global-co2-emissions-2014-report-93171.pdf
https://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/emis/glo_2011.html
Download Data: https://www.earth-policy.org/datacenter/xls/indicator7_2013_all.xlsx
Carbon Emissions Visualization Courtesy of NASA:
Music: il:lo - Imprenta (Part 1)
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.