Germany becomes fifth country to ban gay conversion therapy for minors
Germany’s legislature has passed a ban on the advertising and practice of so-called gay conversion therapy for people under age 18, joining Malta, Ecuador, Brazil and Taiwan.
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.
Portugal plans new solar-powered hydrogen plant in post-coronavirus ‘green’ future
The plant could start producing “green” hydrogen, a cleaner energy source than fossil fuels, by 2023 via electrolysis – a process using electricity to split water – and the aim is for one gigawatt by 2030.
Abu Dhabi to build 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.
Kenyan scientists discover microbe that protects mosquitoes from malaria
The researchers are now investigating whether they can release infected mosquitoes into the wild, or use spores to suppress the disease, in order to reduce the incidence of the disease among humans.
IKEA put 1 million solar panels on 370 stores in 2019
In 2019, IKEA invested $2.8 billion in renewable energy infrastructure. IKEA put 1 million solar panels on 370 0f its stores and warehouses, and also built 535 wind turbines and 2 solar parks.
Iceland ends minke whale hunting for good
For the second year in a row, Iceland’s two whaling companies will skip the annual whale hunt. One of the companies, IP-Utgerd, which specializes in the hunting of minke whales have announced they will never hunt whales again.
World’s first electric air taxi service set to launch in California by 2021
Quantum Air announced plans to launch what it’s calling a world’s first — an air taxi service using a fleet of 26 all-electric flying taxis to shuttle passengers between major points in the greater Los Angeles area.
Sudan to outlaw female genital mutilation
Sudan has one of the highest rates of FGM in the world. According to the UN, 87% of Sudanese women have undergone the practice.
Malaysia close to attaining malaria-free status after reporting no cases since 2018
Malaysia has not recorded any domestic malaria cases since 2018 after recording than 5,000 cases in 2010. If it succeeds in preventing more cases, Malaysia would be eligible to apply for malaria-free status certification from the World Health Organization in 2021.
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.