U.S. cancer death rate hits milestone of 25 years of decline
Lower smoking rates are translating into fewer deaths. Advances in early detection and treatment also are having a positive impact, experts say.
Nations
This archive collects milestones and progress stories involving nations — countries and their governments — acting to improve lives, protect rights, or address shared challenges. From policy breakthroughs to international cooperation, these stories show what countries are doing right.
Greenhouse gas emissions from Scottish industry at 10 year low
The latest data from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has found that greenhouse gas levels have dropped by 57 per cent since 2007 when 26 Megatonnes of pollution were released.
U.K. trains will run on hydrogen power within three years and produce zero emissions
For the first time ever, hydrogen-fueled trains will soon be running on U.K. railways.
65 countries and counting ratify the Kigali Agreement to reduce HFCs
The world has taken an important step to drastically reduce the powerful greenhouse gasses hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol coming into force.
The United States convenes the most diverse Congress in its history
There are more women than ever before, and a new generation of Muslims, Latinos, Native Americans and African-Americans in the House creating what academics call a reflective democracy, more aligned with the population of the United States.
E.U. bans almost all coal mining
Every unprofitable coal mine in the European Union must cease production by the first day of 2019, the date on which all public funds for the mines will come to an end.
E.U. agrees deal on single-use plastic ban
The single-use plastic ban was introduced earlier this year and yesterday the European commission agreed a deal to set the ban in place.
World-leading ivory ban becomes law in the U.K.
The act will introduce a total ban on dealing in items containing elephant ivory, regardless of their age, within the U.K., including export from or import to the U.K..
Australia just cut 80% of its plastic bag use in 3 months
When Australia’s two largest supermarket chains banned plastic bags three months ago, it led to an 80 percent reduction in the country’s overall consumption of plastic bags.
Norway to become first country that bans palm oil biofuels that are linked to deforestation
In a historic vote, the majority of the Norwegian parliament agreed to ban their biofuel industry from buying palm oil and other dangerous biofuels that are linked to deforestation and harmful environmental practices.