Switzerland overwhelmingly reaffirms marriage equality in national referendum
Final figures are reflecting that nearly two of every three Swiss voters supported the measure, despite conservative efforts to stoke outrage and overturn the law.
Today (2017 C.E. - 2025 C.E.)
Hawaii pledges to conserve, restore or grow 100 million trees by 2030
The One Trillion Trees Pledge is part of the 24-hour Global Citizen Live event today to “defend the planet and defeat poverty” and is meant to achieve net-negative carbon goals and combat climate change.
San Marino votes overwhelmingly to legalize abortion
Around 77.30% of voters in the tiny European nation approved the measure which would make abortion legal in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
New California laws make housing more affordable and sustainable
California got three new laws that allow more homes to be built. Denser cities should shorten commutes, lower emissions, and make for more equitable housing.
Michelin’s airless passenger car tires get their first public outing
Michelin says “tweels” will last three times longer than normal tires, even when nothing goes wrong for the life of the tire, leading to a major reduction in waste.
Alabama begins removing racist language from its constitution
The state government is drafting amendments to its 1901 State Constitution that would remove discriminatory language. The changes would mark the end of the last remaining legal remnants of what are generally referred to as Jim Crow laws.
Boston University to fully divest from fossil fuel industry
Going forward, BU will phase out any investments in companies that extract oil and natural gas. The University’s endowment, more than $3 billion, will not have any direct investments in fossil fuel companies.
New York City is removing policing from city schools
The city’s 5,000 school safety agents will be transferred from the supervision of the New York police department to the Department of Education in June of next year.
World’s first battery-powered freight train unveiled in Pittsburgh
The train was built by rail-freight company Wabtec and showcased at Carnegie Mellon University as part of a bid by the two organizations to decarbonize rail freight transport in the U.S., The Guardian reported.
England will be first country to require new homes to include EV chargers
All new homes and offices will have to feature “smart” charging devices that automatically charge vehicles during off-peak periods. New office blocks will need to install a charge point for every five parking spaces.