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.
Good News Links
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.
Child poverty in the United States falls to record low
The child poverty rate in the United States has fallen to a record low of 16% in 2016. In 1967, it was 28%.
U.K. businesses commit to remove eight problem plastics by 2020
The Pact, originally launched in 2018, represents 127 members, accounting for 85% of plastic packaging in U.K. supermarkets including Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
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).
Sydney declares state of emergency over climate crisis
The decision makes Sydney the first major city in Australia to declare a climate emergency, but nearly the 660th to do so worldwide.
Ecuador legalizes same-sex marriage
The highest court in Ecuador has ruled in favor of the legalization of same-sex unions, in a major victory for the LGBTQ community.