Good news for people
World population to start falling decades earlier than thought
Most people assume that population growth will continue at ever-increasing rates into the foreseeable future, and that it will necessarily have detrimental impacts to people and the planet. However, the global total fertility rate has more than halved over the past 70 years, from around five children for each woman in 1950 to 2.2 children in 2021. A new study published last month in The Lancet now estimates that we could fall below the replacement level of 2.1 as soon as 2030.
Thailand takes a major step towards marriage equality
Last week 400 of the country's 415 members of lower parliament approved a draft bill to legalize same-sex marriage and allow same-sex couples to adopt. If passed, Thailand would become the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize the right of all people to marry. BBC
Global efforts to combat tuberculosis ramps up
The WHO and Doctors Without Borders just launched a major initiative in a dozen countries aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment among children; Phase 3 trials of the first TB vaccine in 100 years have kicked off in South Africa; and in the UK, scientists say they've developed a powerful new TB blood test.
Cancer mortality has declined in many countries
Check out this striking graph from the team at Our World in Data, showing age-standardised death rates from cancer in different countries since 1950. The main driver is the decline in smoking—but it's also down to advances in cancer medicine and public health, as well as improvements in screening, diagnosis, and monitoring.
Three countries making uncelebrated progress on poverty
Uzbekistan has witnessed a sharp decline in child poverty, falling from 21.5% in 2021 to 13.7% in 2023; in the Philippines, a new report estimates the poverty rate could soon fall to single digits; and in Cambodia, average incomes have grown fourfold since 1990 and average schooling has increased from 2.4 to 5.1 years.
Murder rates in the United States have plummeted in 2024
It's still early days, and not all the data are in, but in more than 180 cities with available data, murder is down about 20% this year compared to a similar time frame last year. A decline of even half that magnitude would place the US murder rate back on par with its pre-COVID lows. Jeff Asher
Access to voting in the United States is becoming more democratic
A new report shows that since 2000, it has become a lot easier to vote in America, with a majority of states offering early in-person and mail voting options to voters. Despite some efforts to restrict access, nearly 97% of voting-age American citizens now live in states that provide the option to vote before Election Day. NPR
Australia pioneers a national strategy for autistic people
Australia is the first country to create an Office for Autism and the first to release a draft national autism strategy. 'That’s when we realised we needed someone solely focused on these autism policies. We didn’t realise no one had a position like this in the world.' SMH
Canada to offer free contraception to millions of women
The federal government has announced plans to cover the cost of popular contraceptive methods, including hormonal IUDs, birth control pills, and emergency contraceptives. The initiative aims to reduce financial barriers and empower women to make choices about their reproductive health. Women's Agenda
How a small city in Brazil managed to get every child reading
In 2001, 40% of Grade 3 students in Sobral could not read a single word. To improve literacy, authorities initiated a series of reforms, and within 12 years, Sobral went from being ranked 1,366th to first among Brazil’s municipalities for education quality, for both primary and lower secondary education. CRPE
More good news you didn't hear about
Iraq pulls off a world-first by achieving polio transition status. India is ahead of its target in its quest to eliminate the transmission of elephantiasis by 2027. More than half a million people in Northern Brazil will benefit from a new initiative for social services, food security, and education. Despite disruptions, global trade is proving resilient, with indicators looking their best since the end of 2022. Malawi legalises the cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal use. US traffic deaths fell 3.6% in 2023, the second straight yearly drop. North Macedonia has passed a law protecting child rights. In Timor-Leste, a deworming drive to combat soil-transmitted helminthiasis has reached over 300,000 children. Access to electricity in West Africa increased from 45% in 2019 to 52% in 2023. Africa's largest wastewater treatment plant is about to get even bigger. Finland looks like it might become the first country in Europe to eliminate homelessness.
Good news for the planet
The largest-ever restoration initiative in the Mediterranean
Since 2017, the Restoring Mediterranean Forests initiative has regenerated around 20,000 km2 of degraded forests, an area 500 times the size of Athens. The project plans to restore a total of 80,000 km2 by 2030, including wildfire-affected areas. UN
Biden restores protection measures to Endangered Species Act
The Biden Administration has restored several protections for US species that were weakened under Trump. Thanks to the amendments, species classified as ‘threatened’ will have the same blanket protections as ‘endangered’ listings, and economic impacts will not be considered when deciding if animals and plants need protection. Inside Climate News
Guatemala to clean up one of its most polluted rivers
Over 50 companies have joined forces to clean up Guatemala's Motagua River within the next decade. The river is one of the largest landfills in Latin America and is responsible for 2% of the plastic waste that enters the ocean. Efforts will span education, public policy, infrastructure, waste management, and clean-up task forces. Fair Planet
The Alliance is not just an initiative; it is a socio-economic and environmental movement. One of the main differences between this and previous initiatives is that we are aware that this is a problem that requires everybody's contribution.
Chloé Dubois, co-founder of Ocean Legacy
A new protected area in the Bolivian Amazon
The Dowara Kanda Tech Uyapï municipal conservation area in Bolivia will protect 254 km2 of critical landscape, including Yungas cloud forests. The region acts as an important water collector and is home to the critically-endangered Emmel’s ground snake, as well as vulnerable species such as the military macaw and giant anteater. Andes Amazon Fund
Philanthropists to create ‘European Yellowstone’ in Romania
A foundation has bought 270 km2 of Romanian wilderness as part of its plan to create a gigantic protected area spanning 2,000 km2. The area is one of the most important wildlife ecosystems in Europe and is home to wolves, brown bears, lynxes, beavers, and bison. El País
Family farm to become the biggest natural grassland in England
The Pertwood Plain project will rewild a 2,800-acre family farm in Wiltshire to bring back endangered species like cuckoos, grasshopper warblers, and turtle doves. Pigs and cattle will roam the property in low densities to recreate flower-rich chalk grassland, allowing the owners to cut costs on fertiliser and machinery. The Guardian
Massive Indigenous conversation win on the horizon in Canada
Canada is close to finalising a historic Indigenous-led conservation agreement that will secure funding for protections 'unprecedented in scope and scale' across the Northwest Territories (NWT). The NWT Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative will protect at least 30 million hectares of freshwater habitats and wildlife. The Pew Charitable Trusts
Landmark agreements from Conference on Migratory Species
The 14th Convention on Migratory Species has adopted stronger protections for migratory animals. The measures include multi-country initiatives to foster collaboration between range states, a mandate to address the impacts of deep-seabed mineral exploitation, and targeted action plans for Atlantic humpback dolphins, hawksbill turtles, angel sharks, and African elephants. Earth.org
A victory for the largest marine national park in the US
After decades of overuse and public debate, a no-fishing marine reserve area will be established within Biscayne National Park. The measures will help restore the coral reefs and populations of marine life such as black groupers and hogfish. NPCA
Three positive news stories for Aussie conservation!
The Australian Wildlife Conservancy has reported that the populations of numbats appear to be increasing after reintroduction efforts, there’s a bilby boom of more than 3,300 individuals thanks to a protected network of predator-free fenced areas, and the largest coordinated threatened species monitoring program for the great desert skink has kicked off.
More music for those who will listen
Want to feel better about the state of the world? Check out Bloomberg's new series 'An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet'. Spain is banning domestic flights under 2 hours as part of its carbon reduction plan. A rewilding initiative has returned giant anteaters to Brazil for the first time in a century. The pretty purple North Park phacelia plant in Colorado is about be delisted. Ten international organisations, led by the World Shipping Council, have come together to develop guidelines to prevent illegal wildlife trafficking. Senegal’s new president is a bit of an eco-warrior. Polynesian Indigenous groups have initiated a historic treaty to give whales personhood. Vietnam is planting millions of trees as part of a post-Lunar New Year festival. The Arunachal tribe in India has donated 1,470 hectares of land to save a critically-endangered songbird. In West Virginia, 2,000 acres of Big Cove is now protected as part of Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Check out the new Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area in Florida—it's really big!
Solarpunk is a valid belief system
A few weeks ago we posted a graph of global carbon emissions in 2023, showing that our collective climate future relies almost entirely on what China does in the next two decades. This week, we're posting this excellent infographic from SP Global, a reminder that China is both the world's greatest climate threat and its greatest hope. Almost everything else is noise.
China breaks ground on the largest solar factory in history
One of those stories that makes you realise China is operating in a different universe compared to everyone else. One of its big manufacturers, JinkoSolar, has started building a 56 GW factory, to be completed within two years. That's 73% more than ALL the solar installed in the US last year—at a single facility. PV Magazine
Chinese solar company unveils groundbreaking new silicon wafer
Another one of the big manufacturers, Longi, has launched a new solar cell that's 16% stronger than previous products, allowing for thinner wafers and higher efficiency. This is the solar learning curve in action—those price drops don't happen by accident; they happen because humans get better at making stuff. Weixin
China's wind industry is about to get even crazier
The price of installing onshore wind power in China has fallen by nearly half in the last year, making it the country’s cheapest form of electricity, and a company called CRRC just unveiled its mind-boggling 20 MW 'Qihang' floating wind turbine with a sweep the area of seven football fields and capable of operating in Category 17 typhoons.
Europe's clean power sources on a record roll in early 2024
Not to be outdone by China's record start to the year, Europe has also seen a blistering start to 2024. An incredible 60% of Europe's electricity was powered by clean energy sources in the opening two months of the year, driven by strong year-on-year growth in hydro, solar, and wind and a rebound in nuclear. Reuters
Slovakia closes its last coal plant six years early
Slovakia stopped production at its last coal-fired power plant this week, meaning that all electricity generated in the country will come from renewables and nuclear as of June 2024. The Vojany power station, located in the Michalovce District in eastern Slovakia, opened in 1966. Euro News
Fossil gas demand is decreasing in every sector in Europe
Since January 2022, EU fossil gas demand has fallen significantly for households, the power sector, and the industrial sector. Compared to the average between 2019 and 2021, EU countries consumed 12% less gas in 2022, and 20% less in 2023, putting them on track to achieve the ambitious REPowerEU targets. Bruegel
India approves massive new plan for rooftop solar
India’s cabinet recently approved a $9 billion plan to add solar panels to 10 million homes. The government will pay for as much as 60% of the cost for panels up to 2 kilowatts and 40% of the cost for an additional 1 kilowatt. Bloomberg
EVs pass tipping point for mass adoption in 31 countries
Bloomberg has a new update on the number of countries that have reached its now-famous 5% threshold for EV market share, the point at which history shows that technological preferences rapidly flip, jumping to more than a quarter of new cars within 3-4 years. In 2022, when they first did this, the number was 19 countries.
United States issues strict new rules for trucking
The EPA has published its final climate 'stick' from the IRA—a set of standards for carbon emissions from big trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles. Clean air advocates say that in addition to reducing emissions, it will result in significant air quality improvements, even in cities without major trucking routes or large ports. Grist
Volvo has built its last diesel car
The last diesel Volvo, an XC90, has rolled off the assembly line at the Torslanda plant in Sweden and is bound for a museum in Gothenberg, fulfilling a promise Volvo made last year to end diesel production and shift to electrification. After a 45-year run and at least nine million vehicles, diesel is officially out. Carbuzz
What's the opposite of doom-scrolling?
Can we engineer our way out of the climate crisis? Ukraine's relatively new, decentralised renewable energy system is turning out to be a lot more resilient than its old, centralised one. Cuba addresses its energy crisis with a whole lot of solar. China has set a stricter energy intensity target for 2024 as part of renewed efforts to get back on track with its five-year climate plan. First coal, then gas: Germany turns its attention to a plan for fossil gas retirements. BYD's new factories in Thailand start rolling out electric vehicles at a 'blistering pace'. Rivian's 100,000th electric vehicle just rolled off the production line. Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi gets 120,000 orders for its debut electric vehicle in 36 hours. You think we're excited about geothermal? We ain't got nothing on former oil and gas workers in Texas. America's farmers dig solar panels. Australian miners dig electric excavators. What's the only thing better than solar panels in cemeteries? Solar panels that are so cheap you can use them as fences.
Indistinguishable from magic
Fastest-ever data transfer achieved using a single fibre optic cable
An international research team has sent data at 301 TB/s, a speed 4.5 million times faster than broadband, by using additional wavelength bands that already exist in fibre optic cables but are not currently used for transmission. 'The solution could be an affordable and ecologically friendly way to open up more lanes on the information superhighway.' New Atlas
Large language models are improving twice as fast as Moore's Law
In the most comprehensive analysis of language models to date, two main drivers of progress have been identified: scaling up the amount of compute used to train language models and algorithmic innovations. The compute required to train a language model to a certain level of performance has been halving roughly every eight months. Tech Xplore
Next generation exosuit steps closer to reality
Researchers and engineers are developing a new type of muscle control exosuit named Synapsuit, which they expect will be functional by 2026. The main innovation is an electrostatic clutch, which eliminates the need for continuous muscle stimulation, making the experience less fatiguing for physically disabled patients. IEEE Spectrum
Korean fusion reactor sets new world record
Korea's KSTAR fusion reactor, dubbed an 'artificial sun,' has sustained a swirling ball of 100-million-degree plasma for nearly 50 seconds thanks to new components that can better withstand blistering temperatures and improvements in divertor technology. It’s an important milestone for the project, which hopes to achieve 300 seconds of plasma operation by 2026. Science Alert
The world’s most powerful MRI delivers first images of human brains
The scanner, dubbed Iseult, processed images of human brains with 10 times more precision than hospital MRIs, revealing 'details of the cerebellum which were almost invisible until now.' The technology will help scientists better understand the relationship between the brain's structure and cognitive functions and hopefully shed light on diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Medical Xpress
Advancements in 3D printed skin to help reconstructive surgery
Fat tissue holds the key to 3D printing layered living skin and potentially hair follicles, according to researchers who used human tissue to help correct injuries in rats. While scientists have previously 3D-bio-printed thin layers of skin, this is the first research to print a full, living system of multiple skin layers, including the bottommost layer, or hypodermis. Penn State
UK scientists working on a vaccine for lung cancer
The LungVax project is developing a vaccine to stop the formation of lung cancer by using a strand of DNA that trains the immune system to recognise neoantigens, the 'red flag' proteins of lung cancer cells. If successful, the project could deliver an off-the-shelf vaccine for high-risk patients, saving the lives of tens of thousands of people every year in the UK alone. News Medical
Ten-year study reveals a new tree of life for birds
The largest-ever study of bird genomes has resulted in a new family tree that shows most modern groups of birds first appeared within five million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs. The genome study also revealed a new grouping of adaptive birds named ‘Elementaves,' and one branch that remains a mystery. The Conversation
It's still an information superhighway
We loved this essay by Maria Popova: 'If so, the bird brain might be where evolution designed dreams — that secret chamber adjacent to our waking consciousness where we continue to work on the problems that occupy our days. [...] It may be that in REM, this gloaming between waking consciousness and the unconscious, we practice the possible into the real. It may be that the kiss in my dream was not nocturnal fantasy but, like the heron’s dreams of flying, the practice of possibility. It may be that we evolved to dream ourselves into reality — a laboratory of consciousness that began in the bird brain.' NYT
Scott Galloway has a crack at the 'ketamine therapy' essay and knocks it out of the park. There's something about his unique combination of writing ability, sense of humour, and weird vulnerability that makes this work far better than the hundreds of other examples floating around out there. Highly recommended for anyone considering some form of psychedelic therapy.
Is artificial intelligence just another useful technology, akin to a washing machine, that makes our lives a little better, like most technological improvements—or whether it really is something else entirely, a phase shift in technology that will upend the assumptions we’ve used to understand the world around us for centuries? Ultimately, the answer to this question comes down to (as it seems to for everything now) whether you think human-level AI is possible or not. Vox
RIP Daniel Kahneman, one of the most original minds of the last 50 years, and possibly the most influential social scientist of his generation. Every time you've heard someone use the word 'bias' in the last ten years, it's probably because of him. There's so much more—just go read one of the many tributes and obituaries. Here are some timely words from him on peace, hope, and leadership in Israel.
That's it for this edition. No news next week, keep an eye out for our podcast retrospective.
With love,
Gus and Amy
