218: Nothing Compares

Good news you probably didn't hear about

The decline of poverty in India is the most underreported story of our time. Two weeks ago, the country's biggest public policy think tank released a new report, and the numbers are mind-blowing. Between 2015-16 and 2019-2021, over 135 million people were lifted out of multi-dimensional poverty, easily putting the world's most populous nation (and fastest growing major economy) on course to achieve its SDG targets by 2030. NITI

2023 marks two decades since the adoption of the Maputo Protocol, humanity's most progressive legally-binding instrument on women’s and human rights. Fourty-four African countries have signed and ratified it, 43 of them now have laws putting the minimum age of marriage at 18, and 22 out of 29 African countries practising female genital mutilation now have national laws banning the practice. WEF

Ghana recently became the fourth country to decriminalise attempted suicide in the past year, following Malaysia, Guyana and Pakistan. Activists say it's a sign of greater awareness and understanding of mental health, with many other countries set to follow. 'There seems to be a domino effect taking place.' Guardian

Egypt used to have the highest rate of hepatitis C in the world. In 2018, the government decided to implement a massive and unprecedented campaign to screen and treat every citizen, crystallising into something called the 100 Million Healthy Lives Campaign. Today, both the World Bank and the WHO say Egypt has eliminated hepatitis C from its entire population. Forbes

Uganda launched a massive, free hepatitis B screening programme in 2015. Today, 90% of all infants receive childhood vaccinations, four million people have been screened, and those infected can access comprehensive treatment services, making Uganda the first country in Africa to surpass the WHO’s programme targets. WHO

The UK Health Security Agency has published new data showing that there were an estimated 70,649 people living in England with hepatitis C in 2022, marking a 45% decrease from the number recorded in 2015. Since 2015, the NHS has treated over 80,000 people as part of its national elimination programme.

In the last 12 months, an NGO called Evidence Action has installed over 24,000 new chlorine dispensers in Uganda and Malawi, bringing its total network to more than 52,000 dispensers providing 9.8 million people with access to safe water, more than double the number of only 18 months ago.

Yes, we know democracy is in mortal peril in the United States–except for the fact that US states have enacted more than twice as many laws expanding voting rights as restricting them in the past year. So yes, 16 states have made it harder to vote, but 26 have made it easier, including both blue and red states. Fivethirtyeight

'I know lots of Americans still think the economy is doing poorly, and are upset about that. But when I look at objective measures, I just can’t rationalize that negative viewpoint. Because as far as I can tell from the actual numbers, this economy is doing really, really well.' Noah Smith

Racial inequality in imprisonment rates in the United States has fallen substantially in the last two decades. Whereas 5,159 out of every 100,000 Black men were imprisoned in 1999, the rate had fallen to 2,881 per 100,000 by 2019—a 44% decrease. The generation of Black men—and, indeed, of all US residents—born after 2001 'is facing a distinctly reduced risk of imprisonment.' WaPo

In 1999 Connecticut had so many people in prison that it paid to send 500 of them to be incarcerated in Virginia. Nearly 25 years later, the state has not only cut its number of imprisoned people in half, but it has been able to close more than ten prisons while keeping its crime rate at its lowest level in more than 40 years. Slate

The Addis-Djibouti corridor, the vital route along which 95% of Ethiopia's trade moves, and a lifeline for Ethiopia's 120 million people, is getting a significant upgrade thanks to the newly approved Horn of Africa Initiative’s Regional Economic Corridor Project. World Bank

If it bleeds it leads

We're going to try something new here. Next Monday, 7th August 2023, we're going to take a sample of headlines from the top ten news sites in the world (they're all English language) and share them with you. The implicit bargain that we all make with these websites is that in return for our attention they will inform us about what is happening in our world. Let's see how true that is. Tune in next week to see the results.

The only home we've ever known

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by at least 60% in July compared to the same month last year. Independent analysts described the preliminary data as 'incredible' and said the improvement compared with the same month last year could be the best since 2005. Guardian

A decade after the documentary Blackfish exposed the ethics of keeping orcas in captivity, public opposition to marine parks has 'passed the tipping point.' Tourism companies have stopped promoting swim-with-dolphin attractions and Canada has passed legislation to end the public display of captive cetaceans. World Animal News

Ant Forest, a mobile app game in China, is responsible for the planting of over 400 million trees, half of them in Mongolia. The app encourages users to adopt eco-friendly behaviours and earn virtual ‘green energy’ points that can be converted into trees planted in designated areas. China Daily

Over 55% of the world’s population now lives in cities, and the rural land they've abandoned adds up to 400 million hectares (nearly half the size of Australia). That land can be restored. 'In abandoned areas that were previously intensively farmed and where biodiversity was low, plant life, birds, and invertebrates have a new chance to thrive.' Earth

At the end of last year, the UN recognised ten ground-breaking restoration efforts around the world that aim to restore 68 million hectares (an area bigger than France) and create nearly 15 million jobs. We missed the story when it came out. Feels like a good time to mention it again. UNEP

The world’s largest oyster restoration project in Maryland, in the United States, has repopulated more than 10 billion oysters in the Chesapeake since 1994. Along with boosting numbers, the project is improving water quality, and the new oyster reefs are providing a welcome habitat for crabs, fish and other marine life. WaPo

H2Ohio, one of America’s most progressive water quality management programs, has been awarded $270 million to filter out harmful algal blooms on Lake Erie to protect native habitats and the drinking water of more than 12 million people. Ducks.org

For the first time in its history, the EPA has created a searchable database of pesticide harm to people, pets, wildlife, and the environment. The public can access information from pesticide companies, state regulators, direct complaints and reports based on the ten most recent years of data. Investigate Midwest

In Japan, the Raporo Ainu Nation are reclaiming their historical fishing rights to salmon, thanks to a collaboration with First Nations people in the United States. In California, the Shasta Indian Nation are celebrating the return of flowing water through Ward’s Canyon for the first time since 1918 after the removal of a dam along the Klamath. In Wisconsin, the Menominee tribe has become a shining example of forest management after sustainably harvesting its woods for nearly 170 years while increasing the number of trees by 40%.

We come in every 15 years, take out the weak trees, the sick trees, and the ones that are dying, but leave the healthy stock to grow some more and reproduce. This is all natural regeneration, and the way we do it the forest just gets better and better.
Mike Lohrengel, Timber Harvest Administrator, Menominee Indian Reservation

A United Nations-led international team has started siphoning oil out of a marooned tanker off the coast of Yemen—defusing a giant, million-barrel time bomb threatening the Red Sea’s unique coral reefs, global commerce, and the survival of millions of people. In the middle of rebel-held waters. Why isn't this a bigger story? Grist

Florida has allocated almost $1 billion for conservation in its most recent budget. The landmark funding will help protect the remaining acreage needed to conserve a vital stretch of land from the Everglades to Pensacola that is a critical panther habitat and home to other endangered plants and animals. News Press

India and Bhutan have recorded significant increases in their wild tiger populations. After decades of conservation efforts, India now has 3,682 tigers, making it home to 75% of the global population. Bhutan has recorded 131 tigers, an increase of 27% since 2015. BBC

The recovery of the bald eagle continues, a conservation success story achieved via a combination of legal reform, enforcement, breeding programs, and public support. In the 1950s the population dropped to a mere 412 nesting pairs, but by 2021, it had soared to 71,467 breeding pairs. Defenders

380 baby seahorses were successfully released into Sydney Harbour, marking the fifth time captive-bred seahorses have been released into the wild. This latest attempt boasted a 90% survival rate, and scientists have created eight custom-built 'seahorse hotels' made from biodegradable metal to provide a safe place for the endangered fish to hide from predators. Smithsonian

A wildfire reduction project in the Iberian Peninsula is using Garrano horses and European bison, both ancient breeds, to clear scrubland and vegetation that serve as fuel. This ‘eco-grazing’ marks a significant shift towards sustainable fire prevention strategies. Euro News

Saving the world is cheaper than ruining it

No, really, it is. Try to ignore the hype and just follow the numbers. Here's the average cost of different energy technologies in the first half of this year (once subsidies are removed) according to one of the world's most widely respected sources.

The IMF and the IEA are now estimating that decarbonisation will halve energy costs worldwide by mid-century. The switch to clean tech is forecast to cut annual average household energy bills from $2,800 to $2,300 by 2030 in advanced economies, raising global economic growth by 0.4% a year, and is even better for the world’s poor—clean tech is the cheapest way to reach the 800 million people with no electricity. Telegraph

Kazakhstan has cut its energy intensity by 36.7% over the last decade. This is thanks to a green transition plan, and has occurred during the same time as the area of its forests has increased 5% and specially protected natural territories have expanded to more than 10% of Kazakhstan’s territory. Astana Times

One of German's biggest utilities, Uniper, has announced plans to move away from fossil fuels. It will invest more than €8 billion to transform itself into a greener utility, ending all coal-fired power generation by 2029 at the latest and getting at least 80% of its power from renewables by 2030. Reuters

The Biden administration says it will provide up to $1.55 billion in funding to monitor and reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The overall impact is expected to reduce the equivalent of 15 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the next 30 years. Reuters

Maine has committed to buying 3 GW of offshore wind by 2040 and signed provisions into law to support the development of offshore wind supply chains; solar in Texas is booming, with more than 70 counties soon to add solar to the grid; and Kentucky is spending a billion dollars on a huge solar farm, providing opportunities 'for the folks who, you know, live, love, work and worship here.'

No transition without transmission. Last week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a sweeping set of reforms to address the most important challenge to the clean energy transition in the United States: the rules and processes governing new connections to the nation’s transmission grids. Still a lot of work to be done, but this is really, really good news. Canary

Our home state of Victoria is banning gas connections in new homes from next year. All new homes and residential subdivisions will now only connect to all-electric networks, and all new public buildings—such as schools, hospitals, police stations and government-owned buildings—that are yet to reach a design stage must also be all-electric, effective immediately. ABC

The Church of England will divest from all remaining oil and gas companies in its portfolio, including Shell, BP, Equinor and TotalEnergies. 'The Church will follow not just the science, but our faith—both of which call us to work for climate justice.' Reuters

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management just opened up 356,550 acres of ocean off the coasts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia for offshore wind development. If fully developed, the areas could support between 4 and 8 GW of energy production. That's a big deal—right now there is almost no offshore wind in the United States. Clean Technica

Seven major automakers—General Motors, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, and Stellantis—are joining forces for a multibillion-dollar investment to build an electric vehicle charging network in the US and Canada, with 30,000 fast chargers in urban areas and along travel corridors. The network will be public and open to all electric vehicle owners. Drive

The German government has unveiled a new package of climate measures to address its transport and housing sectors, as part of the country’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2045. It includes the installation of more EV charging stations, the expansion of public transport and building more bicycle lanes. AP

In June this year, the share of fully battery electric vehicles in the European car market surged from 10.7% to 15.1%, overtaking diesel for the first time. The overall EV market share, which includes both fully battery and hybrid electric vehicles, is now almost 40%. A little bit of perspective—in 2021, the EV market share in Europe was 17%. ACEA

BUTDAMINRILZ. 'The roughly 5 billion m³ of water needed annually for new mineral extraction compares with 2,700 billion m³ used in food and fibre production. All the solar farms and mines required would take up less than 2% of the land area devoted to agriculture. Red meat consumption threatens the world’s tropical rainforests; batteries for electric vehicles do not.' FT

There are now at least 80 companies involved in EV recycling, with more than 50 startups attracting at least $2.7 billion, all in the last six years. There's about to be a whole lot more too, thanks to a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act that automatically categorises EV battery materials recycled in the US as American-made, qualifying them for subsidies. Reuters

Indistinguishable from magic

We are watching the superconductivity thing closely. If we get confirmation from somewhere reputable, we will report it! Right now most of what’s flying around is some combination of misunderstanding, misinformation, and fun internet hype. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

The long-held assumption that men hunted and women gathered is changing. A new anthropological study has found evidence of women hunting in 50 of the 63 societies studied. Women were more flexible in their hunting as they aged, and older women were often the most accomplished. 'Complexity is relegated to anecdote. We just have to be willing to dig a little deeper.' NYT

DeepMind just announced its new Robotic Transformer 2 system, a vision-language-action model that uses generative AI to enable a robot to carry out tasks from plain language commands. The ultimate goal is to create general-purpose robots that can navigate human environments, similar to fictional robots like WALL-E or C-3PO. Ars Technica

Moving companies in Beijing and Shanghai have started equipping their workers with wearable exoskeletons to meet the demand for services. Thanks to the augmentation, workers say that where previously they could only complete two moving orders a day, they are now likely to finish up to four. SCMP

Did you know we're living in the golden age of paleontology? On average, one new dinosaur species is discovered every two weeks, and it's changing the nature of the dinosaur family tree. Fossil hunters aren't just uncovering new species—they’re revealing entirely new groups that were unknown even ten years ago. Smithsonian

A Swedish study has shown that AI is able to accurately detect 20% more breast cancers than traditional screening by radiologists. The study is the first randomised controlled trial to look at AI in breast cancer screening and comes amid a dramatically shifting landscape for the new tool and how it’s regulated. CNN

Geneticists at Stanford have devised a new way to destroy cancer cells. The old approach targets genes that tell a cancer to self destruct—essentially, 'ungagging' them. The new approach flips this idea on its head and actually promotes the expression of those genes. So it’s not just ungagging the genes—it’s like replacing the gags with bullhorns. NYT

Stanford again, this time with a new type of brain-machine interface that can record deep brain activity without surgery. The technology is known as a micro-endovascular probe and can access blood vessels less than 100 micrometers in diameter, recording single neuron activity without causing damage. Existing commercial neural implants are 50 times larger. Interesting Engineering

This isn't the future. It's now. More than 4,500 Starlink satellites are now in low-earth orbit, accounting for more than 50% of all active satellites. NYT

The information highway is still super

Have you ever watched a Miyazaki film and felt some kind of emotional response to the food? You're not alone. The food scenes in Studio Ghibli productions are distinct from other anime in that the narratives slow down to accommodate the cooking, eating, and sharing of food. In this article, Kiera Wright-Ruiz celebrates some of her favourite examples. Serious Eats

Sticking with the food theme - in this beautiful essay for Joyland, Matthew Medendorp peels back the layers of the humble onion, an organism with DNA more complex than that of a human. "Every time we chop an onion, we remember other onions that we’ve chopped. Even water has memory, and an onion is not without its juices. We compound our onion experience, water, and layers, and chopping, spirit memory and muscle memory. This is all automatic, primal, and elemental."

Scandinavian countries consistently rank as the happiest in the world. So why is heavy metal, a musical genre created on the dirty, overworked factory floors of post-war Birmingham, so popular there? Over the years, anthropologists and music historians have proposed many theories. These are the most convincing ones. Big Think

Inspired by her experience of falling in love with an AI chatbot during COVID-19 lockdowns, Beijing-based filmmaker Chouwa Liang undertook to profile others who had experienced something similar. Her resulting short film, My AI Lover, features interviews with three such women, as well as footage of them spending time with their bots in public spaces. Psyche

And finally, if you haven't already, do yourself a favour and spend five minutes watching and listening to one of the all-time great vocal performances. Filmed at the age of 23, recorded in a single take. RIP Sinead.

That's it for this edition thanks for reading. Next week, we'll be revealing the results of our news experiment! We'll see you then.

With love,

Gus and Amy