Renewables generate more than coal in the U.S. for 40 days
April 2020 was also the first month ever when renewables beat out coal altogether in the U.S.
Seattle to permanently close 20 miles of streets to car traffic
In addition to providing much-needed outdoor space for residents among shelter-in-place orders, the new initiative also advances the city’s climate goals.
Abu Dhabi to built the cheapest solar farm ever
The current cheapest solar farm is owned by the UAE’s other major city, Dubai, which set the cost record in 2015 at 5.98¢/kWh and then broke it again in 2016 at 2.99¢/kWh. Abu Dhabi’s project crushes those marks at 1.35¢/kWh.
Sudan to outlaw female genital mutilation
Sudan has among the highest rates of FGM in the world, with roughly 87% of the female population having undergone the brutal intervention.
Pakistan to hire more than 60,000 workers for 10 Billion Tree Tsunami program
The ambitious five-year tree-planting program was launched in 2018 to combat climate change. The new jobs also provide much-needed economic stimulus amid the country’s COVID-19 lockdown.
New York and Kentucky expand mail-in voting access
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear have signed executive orders requiring applications for absentee ballots to be sent to all voters. They join 34 states in the United States that allow all voters to vote by mail.
Lebanon becomes first Arab country to legalize cannabis farming
In a 2018 report, the global consultancy McKinsey predicted that legalizing cannabis cultivation could generate roughly $1 billion USD for the country annually.
Oxford University begins human trials of COVID-19 vaccine
The team’s lead Professor Sarah Gilbert has given it an 80% change of being effective and suggested it could be available for widespread use as soon as September.
Antibodies could offer gamechanging new treatment for OCD
These findings offer hope for those suffering from OCD, ADHD, and other illnesses. This work not only gives us much greater insight into how to treat these often debilitating diseases, but also further highlights the key role of brain chemistry in causing them.
UC Berkeley offers its popular ‘Science of Happiness’ online course for free
Spoiler: True happiness comes not from setting ourselves above and apart from others, but from joining and serving our communities.