Good News for Humankind 🌏
The world’s latest milestones for climate, justice, freedom, peace, health, and more
10 March 2025 C.E.
World’s nations back $200 billion a year plan to protect nature
Global negotiators concluded an extended session of the United Nations biodiversity conference, COP16, by agreeing on how they would contribute a massive $200 billion a year by 2030 to protect the world’s ecosystems. The money includes a plan to raise $20 billion in annual conservation financing for developing nations by 2025, with that number rising to $30 billion annually by 2030, and on details of the Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims at placing 30% of the planet and 30% of degraded ecosystems under protection by 2030.
Nearly half of new E.U. city buses were zero-emission in 2024
49% of all new E.U. city buses were zero-emission in 2024, making city buses one of the early success stories of the European Green Deal. This growth is due to the faster-than-expected uptake in fuel cell buses, making up 3% of new E.U. city buses in 2024. Battery-electric, however, remains by far the dominant powertrain, with a 46% share. This success is due to both the new European regulation last year sending a clear market signal that the days of diesel buses are numbered and city-level policies such as zero-emission zones and fleet targets.
Norway boosts financial support to Ukraine with €4.3 billion
The Norwegian Parliament has agreed to more than double the financial support to Ukraine for 2025 as the United States continues to withdraw its support under the Trump administration. Norway’s state budget for 2025 initially granted €2.98 billion to Ukraine. Today’s increase by 50 billion kroner boosts the total sum for this year €7.24 billion, more than doubling Norway’s contribution. None of the politicians were against helping Ukraine in its defense against aggressor Russia, from the far right to the far left.
Seeds of 19 African tree species added to Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Norway is home to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a vast collection intended to secure the world’s vital genetic heritage against any eventuality. The vault currently holds duplicates of 1.3 million seed samples from nearly every corner of the world. Recently, the World Agroforestry Center deposited new seeds to the vault, representing tree species of special value to communities across Africa. The 19 species represented included 13 native to Africa and six others that have found a place in the economies and ecologies of the continent.
Denmark to ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs
The Danish well-being commission was set up by prime minister Mette Frederiksen, in 2023 to investigate growing dissatisfaction among children and young people. Its long-awaited report, published recently, raised the alarm over the digitization of children and young people’s lives and called for a better balance between digital and analog life. Among its 35 recommendations was the need for government legislation banning phones from schools and after-school clubs.
The U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity, signed by 168 countries, enters into force (1993 C.E.)
The Convention on Biological Diversity is a historic multilateral treaty now signed by all U.N. member states other than the United States. The Convention has three main goals: biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. The Convention recognized for the first time in international law that the conservation of biodiversity is “a common concern of humankind” and is an integral part of the development process.
Human-caused extinction rate drops below 0.001% (2090 C.E. ???)
Through aggressive conservation and sustainable development efforts, humanity succeeds in significantly slowing biodiversity loss and perhaps even ending Earth’s “sixth mass extinction” event. Combined with extensive climate mitigation and adaptation, these conservation efforts help restore the world’s ecosystems to their former vibrancy and health, supporting both the innate value of natural life and the human economies that rely on that life.
These milestones have been added to the Archive of Human Genius – our database of social change milestones – past, present & future.
Help Ukrainian families now
From International Rescue Committee: The war in Ukraine has destroyed homes and infrastructure, leaving millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. As U.S. government funding for Ukraine aid faces cuts, IRC teams are working to maintain vital support for those affected by conflict. Your gift will be matched, up to $1,500,000. Donate.
This week’s calendar
- GET S*** DONE Work Group every weekday, 10:30am-12pm PT (online)
- Bellingham Men’s Circle on Monday, March 10, 6-8pm PT (in-person)
Weekly reflection
Hi beautiful people,
What are the foundations of the social movement that can break this spell cast over us? Rather than defining ourselves in opposition to something we don’t like, what’s the positive vision that can unite the mass social movement we need?
For me, the core tenet is radical belonging. In this new movement, every single person gets to belong. This certainly includes all those our society has historically failed to include and empower: women, people of color, Indigenous people, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, the poor, people with physical or mental challenges, etc.
But it also must include those who have not typically gotten our respect and earnest attention in past progressive moments: men, red hats, the ultra-rich, those from rural communities, and even people who don’t share our value of belonging.
No, we don’t have to entertain, platform, or condone hateful worldviews. We don’t have to pretend these ideologies are wise. And we can take action to ensure they do not come into power.
And yet, we can still fundamentally see, accept, and embrace their humanity. We can choose to see them as people who did not get the love and connection they needed. We can choose to see them as more like us than not like us. We can choose to think of them as part of our tribe.
In this new vision, belonging is not something people earn or can be taken away. Everyone is fundamentally allowed to be who they are, what they are, and where they are without being called “deplorable,” demeaned, or condescended to.
Would you be willing to practice and champion this kind of radical belonging?
Love,
Peter