Sanitation coverage in India hits 99%, up 60% in 5 years
Three infants die every two minutes in India due to lack of access to adequate water and sanitation services. The Swachh Bharat Mission aims to achieve 100% sanitation by October 2019.
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Sydney announces 100% renewable energy by 2050 target
Sydney will purchase only 100% renewable energy that’s generated by wind or solar starting next year.
New York becomes second U.S. state to ban plastic bags
State lawmakers in New York have approved a ban on plastic bags at retail and grocery establishments that would take effect next year as part of the state’s budget.
Maryland becomes the sixth U.S. state to raise the minimum wage to $15
Lawmakers managed to override Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of a minimum wage bill. Maryland’s current minimum wage is $10.10, and the new policy will gradually raise the wage floor to $15 by 2025.
Puerto Rico bans gay and transgender conversion therapy for minors
The governor of Puerto Rico signed an executive order on Wednesday banning so-called conversion therapy for gay or transgender minors on the island.
New Jersey legalizes medically assisted suicide for the terminally ill
The bill allows adults with a prognosis of six months or less to live to get a prescription for life-ending medication. Currently, California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Hawaii, Montana and the District of Columbia allow physician-assisted suicide.
Puerto Rico passes 100% renewable energy by 2050 legislation
The law will bring lower cost electricity to the island and promote a network of distributed microgrids that will help avoid the prolonged power outages that followed in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
Saudi Arabia planning 2.6 gigawatt solar project near Mecca
Middle Eastern oil giant Saudi Arabia is set to develop a mammoth 2.6 gigawatt (GW) solar park in the Makkah Region, providing enough energy for nearly 2 million homes.
World Bank commits $22.5 billion more to Africa for climate change
World Bank Group is providing USD$22.5 billion to Africa for climate mitigation and adaptation across five years beginning with 2021, adding to the $17 billion already committed through the Africa Climate Business Plan.
74% of U.S. coal production is now more expensive than renewables
211 gigawatts of current US coal capacity, 74% of the coal fleet, is providing electricity that’s more expensive than wind or solar. By 2025, nearly the entire US coal system will be out-competed on cost by renewables.