New California budget offers two free years of community college
The new California budget spends $280 million in total to make college more affordable.
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.
New York City begins enforcing Styrofoam ban
The city banned Styrofoam because the material can’t be “recycled in a manner that is economically feasible” or “environmentally effective.”
Scientists eliminate HIV in animal genome in historic first
Existing HIV treatment used antiretroviral therapy, which is not a cure for HIV and requires lifelong use. In this study, researchers used a gene editing system to remove large fragments of HIV DNA from infected cells, along with a new drug regimen called long-acting slow-effective release. This approach eliminated HIV DNA from about one-third of the mice, marking the first time that HIV had been eradicated from the genomes of living animals.
Lightyear unveils the world’s first long-range solar car
Lightyear’s solar-powered EV boasts a range of 450 miles on a single charge – far more than the 370 miles of Tesla’s market-leading Model S.
Paris bans nearly 3 million vehicles during weekdays to curb pollution
The policy is set to ban diesel cars and vans made before Jan. 1, 2006, from the city between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays.
Costs of building large-scale solar installations in India fell by 27 per cent in 2018
Around the globe, prices are falling and India is now producing the world’s cheapest solar power, according to an IRENA survey.
Illinois is expunging marijuana convictions from nearly 800,000 criminal records
In addition to legalizing marijuana, Illinois HB 1438 offers relief to the roughly 770,000 residents of the state with marijuana-related offenses on their criminal records.
Malaysia will decriminalize drug possession for personal use
A representative from the Malaysian government said that decriminalization is a step toward a rational drug policy that puts science and public health before punishment and incarceration.
One-sixth of global economy now under net zero commitments
A report has found that almost one-sixth of global GDP is contributed to by nations, regions, and cities that have committed to net zero emissions.
Kazakhstan writes off debts of more than 3 million citizens
More than 3 million Kazakhs in the energy-rich country of 18 million will get help to escape debts averaging 300,000 tenge ($790).