📈 Human Progress
In the last decades humanity has made great progress with less extreme poverty, increased health, wealth and democracy. We follow in the tradition of professor Hans Rosling.
🎣 The list of overfished species in the US has reached an all-time low
94 percent of fish stocks in the USA are no longer subject to overfishing. Key species have been removed from the list of overfished stocks. Thus, there are fewer species on that list than ever before.
🐳 Researchers begin to understand the basics of sperm whale language
Scientists have identified the fundamental components of sperm whale communication. Through the analysis of over 8,700 clips of sperm whale clicks, a complex communication system resembling a phonetic alphabet has been revealed.
✊ The greengrocer's revolution
Nothing has done more to create human progress than democracy. There is nothing more important than achieving a fully democratic world as quickly as possible. Then even a grocer can make a difference.
💉 Three West African countries begin vaccinating against malaria
Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have started vaccinating children against malaria. The vaccine has shown a significant reduction in malaria diseases and child mortality in initial African pilot programs.
🗳️ Global support for democracy is at a record high – 85%
85 percent of people globally believe that democracy is important in their country. The highest number so far.
🧒🏿 40% of the reduction in child mortality is thanks to vaccines
Vaccines have prevented 154 million deaths since 1974, of which 146 million were children. Thus, vaccines account for 40 percent of the reduction in child mortality.
🏭 Record reduction in emissions within the EU emissions trading system
Emissions under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) decreased by 15.5 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. ETS emissions are now about 47 percent lower than 2005 levels, well on the way to the 2030 target of a 62 percent reduction.
📉 Decrease in youth suicide in Europe
A number of European countries have shown a decline in youth suicide since the year 2000. Long-term preventive efforts may have contributed to this positive development.
👴🏿 Life expectancy is increasing globally, but most notably in Eastern Africa
The global average life expectancy increased by 6.2 years between 1990 and 2021, primarily due to decreased deaths from intestinal infections. Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa saw the largest increase, with 10.7 years.