All U.S. military veterans in suicidal crisis are now eligible for free care
Unlike for most other medical benefits, veterans do not have to be enrolled in the VA system to be eligible. More than 18 million veterans in the U.S. could be eligible.
Nations
This archive collects stories from Good News for Humankind involving nations — countries and their governments — as key actors in progress. Across 1,807 articles, you’ll find reporting on policy wins, international cooperation, and measurable improvements in health, climate, rights, and more.
Finland passes law making it easier for trans people to change their legal gender
The new laws mean transgender people aged 18 and older can legally change their gender by a process of self-declaration, and no longer have to go through an onerous medical and psychiatric approval process first.
Australia becomes world’s first country to officially recognize psychedelics as medicines
MDMA and psilocybin will be available for controlled use to address PTSD and depression when prescribed by a psychiatrist starting in July 2023.
Thailand bolsters efforts to curtail environmentally damaging illegal coral trade
For years, Thailand has focused on curtailing its illegal trade in terrestrial wildlife. Recently, the country has been doing the same for coral species, a critical element of its marine ecosystems.
Biden restores protections to Alaska’s Tongass National Forest
Alaska’s Tongass National Forest is once again off-limits to logging and new road construction, after the USDA restored protections across the 17-million-acre rainforest — a landscape slightly larger than West Virginia that holds nearly half of all carbon stored in U.S. national forests. Tribal Nations in Southeast Alaska, including the Organized Village of Kake, led the years-long push to bring the safeguards back. For communities who have hunted, fished, and lived among the 800-year-old cedars and wild salmon streams for thousands of years, it’s a hard-won recognition. The victory also points to something bigger: protecting old-growth forests at scale is one of the most affordable, ready-now climate tools we have — no new technology required, just the will to leave ancient places standing.
Finland grew its wind power capacity by 75% in 2022
Last year Finland built 427 new turbines with a combined power capacity of 2,430 megawatts. By 2025, wind is projected to cover at least 28% of the country’s power consumption.
Portugal to redirect Cape Verde debt payments to new climate fund
Cape Verde, a former Portuguese colony, owes 140 million euros to the Portugal. Under the new agreement, Portugal will redirect debt payments owed to a fund that will help the island nation tackle climate change.
Kenya is producing its first electric buses
Established in May 2021, BasiGo has now announced a partnership with Associated Vehicle Assemblers to assemble the first 1,000 electric buses in Mombasa, Kenya, over the next three years.
Canada to ban cosmetic testing on animals
The ban will cover a range of products, including make-up, perfume, body lotion, hair-styling products, shaving foam and nail polish. It would extend to cosmetics that contain animal-tested ingredients.
Dutch constitution will be amended to ban LGBTQ+ discrimination
Following the Dutch Senate’s vote passing the proposal in a 56–15 vote, it now only needs to be signed by King Willem-Alexander and the responsible minister before becoming law.