World leaders promise to end deforestation by 2030
The countries who signed the pledge – including Canada, Brazil, Russia, China, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the U.S. and the U.K. – cover around 85% of the world’s forests.
Today (2017 C.E. - 2025 C.E.)
This archive spans the years 2017 through 2025, a period marked by rapid advances in clean energy, medicine, technology, and social equity. It collects documented breakthroughs, policy wins, and scientific achievements from the present era. If you want evidence that progress is real and ongoing, this is where to look.
MIT-designed project achieves major advance toward fusion energy
A new superconducting magnet breaks magnetic field strength records, paving the way for practical, commercial, carbon-free power.
Spain to ban advertising for unhealthy foods targeted at children
According to a 2019 study, which is based on surveys of children aged six to nine, 40% of Spanish minors are above their recommended weight.
Josh Cavallo becomes the first openly gay male top-level professional soccer player
Although Cavallo was fearful that his coming out would damage the career he’s worked so hard to build up, he felt that he needed to embody his truth for other players who may be “living in silence.”
Ten countries now generate almost 100% renewable electricity
Albania, Bhutan, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iceland, Namibia, Nepal, Norway, and Paraguay all now generate more than 97% of their electricity from renewable sources.
Private prison operator must pay inmates minimum wage for work, U.S. federal jury rules
The court found that GEO Group, a private prison operator that runs the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, WA, is violating the state’s minimum wage laws by paying its workers $1 per day.
Costco raised its minimum wage to $17 an hour
Costco has around 180,000 US employees, and 90% of them work hourly. Costco’s new starting wage puts the chain $2/hr above Amazon, Target, and other top retailers’ minimum wage, and $5/hr above Walmart.
Cleveland Clinic launches human trials on first-of-its-kind preventative breast cancer vaccine
After two decades of preclinical research, human trials are set to begin on a unique preventative vaccine that is designed to target a protein commonly expressed by triple-negative breast cancers.
New Zealand swears in first Indigenous Māori Governor-general
Before being sworn in as New Zealand’s first Māori Governor-general last week, Dame Cindy Kiro forged a career in academics, holding various leadership roles at many New Zealand universities.
U.S. issues first passport with non-binary “X” gender marker in historic move
The X gender marker will become a part of the routine passport application process in early 2022.