Good news for humankind!

From the week of August 28 – September 3 2023 C.E.

China’s “War on Pollution” has added years to citizens’ lives over last decade

While the life expectancy has risen on average 2.2 years since 2013, some cities have seen far more drastic increases. Citizens living under the new “Beijing Blue,” are predicted to live 4 more years, while those 11 million in Baoding are predicted to gain 6 years.

California becomes world’s largest economy to call for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

The Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal is gaining significant momentum across the world and across sectors of society, being supported by the World Health Organization, near 100 cities, 2,500+ civil society organizations, and over half a million individuals.

India becomes the fourth ever country to land on the moon

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully landed its Vikram lander in the rough terrain of the Moon’s south pole, making India the first country to safely touch down in this unexplored region of the lunar surface.

World-first drug lowers genetic form of “bad cholesterol” by up to 65%

Researchers from Monash University, Cleveland Clinic, and Eli Lilly have developed an oral drug to target a form of cholesterol that has previously been untreatable and is largely caused by genetics.

E.U.’s use of fossil fuels for electricity falls 17% to ‘record low’ in first half of 2023

Electricity generated from coal collapsed by 23% and gas fell by 13%, compared with the same period a year earlier. Seventeen E.U. countries generated record shares of power from renewables.

Bangladesh to begin producing lithium batteries and electric vehicles to cut emissions

To lessen pollution and reliance on fossil fuels, Bangladesh intends to phase out internal combustion engines in favor of EVs. Producing the lithium batteries used in EVs is a major first step toward this goal.

Environmental leaders from 185 countries launch Global Biodiversity Framework Fund

The GBFF has been designed to mobilize and accelerate investment in the conservation and sustainability of wild species and ecosystems and has already drawn over $200 million in investments from Canada and the U.K.

U.K. scientists regrow retina cells to tackle leading cause of blindness

In a study at the UK’s Nottingham Trent University, biomedical scientist Biola Egbowon and colleagues used nanotechnology to successfully treat macular degeneration.

Massachusetts passes a millionaire’s tax

A new 4% tax on the state’s wealthiest residents will account for $1 billion of the state’s $56 billion fiscal budget for 2024. A portion of those funds will be used to provide all public-school students with free weekday meals.

Rooftop solar capacity in South Africa has increased by 349% since March 2022

The South African Government is actively encouraging the uptake of new rooftop solar with targeted policy, including a new rebate scheme announced in February, which allows individuals who install new panels onto their homes to claim rebates equal to 25% of the cost of the panels.

The UNCRC is a groundbreaking international human rights treaty ratified by 196 countries (as of 2023) which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health, and cultural rights of children.

As of 2013, more than 19% of children in developing countries were living in households that survived on an average of US$1.90 a day or less per person, compared to just 9% of adults. Globally, almost 385 million children were living in extreme poverty.