Arizona governor greenlights over-the-counter birth control
Arizonans 18 and older will soon be able to go to their local pharmacy and purchase oral contraceptives without a doctor’s prescription.
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.
U.K. to pardon women convicted of homosexuality
The British Home Office is expanding a program that pardons people convicted of any offense related to homosexuality. Previously, the program was only available to men, but it is now open to women.
Brazil’s Amazon deforestation drops 34% under Lula
From January to June the rainforest had alerts for possible deforestation covering 2,650 square kilometres, down from 4,000 sq km during the same period last year under former leader Jair Bolsonaro.
Twelve African countries will receive 18 million doses of the first-ever malaria vaccine
Malaria vaccines are heading to twelve African countries for the first time, with 18 million doses of RTS,S/AS01 set to roll out between 2023 and 2025. Nine nations are introducing the shot into routine childhood immunization, joining Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, where more than 1.7 million children have already been vaccinated since 2019. The pilot countries have seen severe malaria cases and child deaths decline, and families are showing up eager for their children to be protected. After a century of scientific struggle against one of humanity’s deadliest diseases, this rollout marks a turning point — proof that patient global collaboration can deliver lifesaving tools to the children who need them most.
Scientists create novel edible, biodegradable food packaging to replace plastic
The developers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong believe the new bacterial-cellulose-based material can offer a sustainable, easily available and non-toxic solution to plastics in food packaging.
Canada officially bans cosmetic animal testing and trade
This landmark decision is part of the Budget Implementation Act, not only prohibiting cosmetic animal testing but also putting an end to the sale of cosmetics that use new animal testing data for safety substantiation.
Indonesia and Malaysia have cut deforestation in half in last half-decade
Across both countries, average yearly forest loss fell dramatically between the years 2015-2017 and 2020-2022, with Indonesia seeing a 64 percent decline and Malaysia a 57 percent decline.
New Zealand bans thin plastic fruit and vegetable bags in world first
The new ban will also extend to plastic straws and cutlery, as the nation’s government expands its campaign against single-use plastics, which began in 2019 when it banned plastic carrier bags.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library celebrates gifting 200 million books
Launched in 1995, the program spans five countries and reportedly gifts over 2.4 million free age-appropriate books each month to children around the world.
California Supreme Court repeals decades of rulings shielding police from lawsuits
State law does not provide “a sweeping immunity for any and all acts police officers may perform within the scope of their employment,” Justice Leondra Kruger said in the 7-0 ruling.