United States
U.S. sets staggering record with 191% growth in solar power installations in 2016
A new report shows that in the third quarter of this year alone, enough solar panels to generate 4,143 MW of electricity were installed in the United States. This boom in installations contributes to the prediction that coal is a fading industry, and will never return to its former grandeur.
Seattle schools enact historic scheduling change allowing students more sleep
All of the district high schools and most middle schools will be starting later than in the past, at 8:45 a.m., while many elementary schools will be starting earlier, at 7:55 a.m. A few elementary and K-8 schools will start at 9:35 a.m.
Construction begins on Block Island Wind Farm, the U.S.’s first-ever commercial offshore wind project
The five-turbine, 30 MW project was developed by Deepwater Wind, now known as Ørsted US Offshore Wind. Construction began in 2015 and in late summer 2016 five Alstom Haliade 150-6MW turbines were erected. Operations were launched in December 2016.
Oakland passes resolution in support of worker cooperatives
The day after Labor Day, Oakland City Council made a bold proclamation in support of democratic and equitable workplaces, passing the “Resolution Supporting the Development of Worker Cooperatives In Oakland.”
U.S. National Cancer Institute acknowledges that cannabis kills cancer cells
According to its website, NCI is touted as “the U.S. government’s principal agency for cancer research.” And recently, it quietly admitted that cancer cells have been killed by cannabis in a lab setting.
Voyager 1 becomes first human-made object to leave solar system
Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 traveled past Jupiter and Saturn and is now more than 11.66 billion miles (18.67 billion kilometers) from the sun, becoming the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space.
Barack Obama elected as United States’ first black president
Americans placed their faith in Barack Obama, turning their backs on a past of slavery and segregation and electing the first African-American to the US presidency.
Apple’s iPhone is released
The original iPhone was described as “revolutionary” and a “game-changer” for the mobile phone industry.