Today (2017 C.E. - 2025 C.E.)

A wide expanse of deep blue open ocean under a partly cloudy sky, representing the international high seas now protected under the UN High Seas Treaty, for an article about the UN High Seas Treaty

UN High Seas Treaty enters into force to protect two-thirds of Earth’s ocean

By / / Good News For Humankind

The UN High Seas Treaty — formally the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction — has officially entered into force after 60 nations completed ratification. It creates the first comprehensive legal framework to protect international waters, which cover nearly two-thirds of the planet’s ocean. The agreement enables marine protected areas, requires environmental impact assessments for risky activities, and establishes a system to share ocean discovery benefits with developing nations. Scientists and advocates call it a turning point for global ocean governance.

A pile of smartphones locked in individual magnetic pouches on a school desk for an article about the New Jersey school phone ban

New Jersey bans student phones all day in landmark school law

By / / Good News For Humankind

New Jersey has signed a “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban into law for all public schools, restricting student access to internet-connected devices for the entire school day — including lunch and recess. The law, signed by Governor Phil Murphy, takes full effect in the 2026–2027 school year and includes state grant funding to help districts purchase storage equipment. Child health advocates say the New Jersey school phone ban is one of the most comprehensive in the country and a meaningful step toward protecting student mental health.

Aerial view of tropical wetlands and forest inside Laguna del Tigre National Park in Guatemala for an article about Guatemala rewilding

Guatemala shuts oil field in Maya Forest for historic rewilding

By / / Good News For Humankind

Guatemala has permanently closed the Xan oil field inside Laguna del Tigre National Park, launching one of the most ambitious rewilding efforts in Central American history. The government is converting the former extraction site’s airstrips, roads, and buildings into a ranger command center, turning tools of oil production into tools of conservation. The project aims to restore 827,000 acres of tropical wetlands in the heart of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, protect jaguar corridors, and offer a global model for retiring fossil fuel infrastructure.

A health worker distributes fine-mesh water filters to a rural community as part of Guinea worm eradication efforts for an article about Guinea worm eradication

Guinea worm disease hits all-time low of 10 human cases worldwide

By / / Good News For Humankind

The world recorded only 10 human cases of Guinea worm disease in 2025, an all-time record low confirmed by the Carter Center. That number is down from roughly 3.5 million cases in the mid-1980s, putting Guinea worm on the verge of becoming only the second human disease ever eradicated. The milestone was achieved entirely through community education and low-tech tools — no vaccine, no medicine — making it one of the most remarkable public health achievements in history.

An aerial view of an industrial energy storage facility with turbine halls and compression infrastructure set against a green hillside in Hubei province, China, for an article about China compressed air energy storage

China opens world’s largest compressed air energy storage plant

By / / Good News For Humankind

China has switched on the world’s largest compressed air energy storage facility, a 300-megawatt plant in Hubei province that stores 1,500 megawatt-hours of electricity in underground salt caverns. The project is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 109,000 tons per year by displacing coal-fired generation. It proves that large-scale, non-lithium grid storage is commercially viable — and offers a replicable model for countries worldwide looking to make renewable energy reliable around the clock.

Aerial view of rooftop solar panels on suburban Australian homes with wind turbines on the horizon at sunset for an article about Australia renewable energy

Australia hits 50% renewable energy milestone for the first time

By / / Good News For Humankind

Australia has crossed a historic threshold, with renewable energy sources supplying more than 50 percent of electricity in the National Electricity Market for the first time. Driven by record rooftop solar adoption and rapid growth in wind and large-scale solar farms, the milestone proves a modern industrial economy can run reliably on clean power. Experts say Australia is now on track to reach its target of 82 percent renewables by 2030.

A microscope image of pancreatic tumor cells in a laboratory setting for an article about pancreatic cancer research

Spanish researchers achieve full pancreatic tumor regression in mice

By / / Good News For Humankind

Scientists at Spain’s National Cancer Research Centre achieved complete pancreatic tumor regression in mouse models using a precision therapy that targets the molecular roots of cancer growth. The treatment blocked downstream signals from the KRAS gene, collapsing tumors without harming healthy tissue. Researchers say the results overcome key hurdles around toxicity and resistance, and are now accelerating plans to bring the therapy into human clinical trials.

Underwater photograph of vibrant coral fragments growing on a nursery structure in clear blue Indian Ocean water for an article about Mauritius coral restoration

Mauritius achieves 98% coral survival rate in reef restoration breakthrough

By / / Good News For Humankind

Scientists at the Mauritius Oceanography Institute have achieved a 98 percent survival rate transplanting heat-resistant “super corals” onto degraded reefs in the Indian Ocean. The coral restoration project trains local communities in gardening techniques and aims to transplant 100,000 coral fragments by 2030. Backed by the UNDP, the effort is rebuilding fish populations and protecting coastlines — and offering a model that reef-dependent island nations around the world can adapt and apply.

Aerial view of offshore wind turbines in the North Sea at sunrise for an article about North Sea wind hub

Ten nations pledge €11 billion for 100GW North Sea wind hub

By / / Good News For Humankind

Ten European nations have signed a landmark agreement to transform the North Sea into the world’s largest offshore wind power zone. The countries — including the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands — committed a joint €11 billion investment to build 100 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030. The deal creates thousands of jobs, stabilizes energy prices, and sets a new model for cross-border clean energy cooperation that other regions can follow.

A busy street market in Mexico with vendors and shoppers representing a growing middle class — for an article about Mexico middle class growth

Mexico’s middle class surpasses poverty population for the first time

By / / Good News For Humankind

For the first time in Mexico’s modern history, the number of citizens in the middle class now exceeds those living in poverty. Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography shows more than 13 million Mexicans exited poverty between 2018 and 2024. Rising real wages, stronger labor protections, and expanded social safety nets all drove the shift. The milestone shows that targeted economic policy can produce lasting, measurable results — and offers a model for other emerging economies working to reduce inequality.