U.S. wind energy sector now employs 105,000 people
The fast-growing clean sector now employs 105,500 men and women across all 50 states after a bumper year of 9 percent growth, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
North & Central America
This archive covers progress stories from North and Central America, spanning the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the nations of Central America. Readers will find reporting on health, environment, community resilience, and policy advances across the region.
Google Cloud hits 100% renewable energy goal
“Over the course of 2017, across the globe, for every kilowatt hour of electricity we consumed, we purchased a kilowatt hour of renewable energy from a wind or solar farm that was built specifically for Google.”
Alaskans reject anti-transgender ‘bathroom bill’
Fifty-three percent of voters in Anchorage, Alaska voted on Prop 1 a citizen initiative that would have required transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificates
“Love, Simon” becomes first studio teen film to feature gay protagonist
The new film from director Greg Berlanti – showrunner of The Flash and Riverdale – has outpaced expectation in the US where Variety reports it’s expected to take approximately $10-12m (£7-8.6m) on its opening weekend alone against a budget of $17m (£12m).
Adidas has sold a million shoes made of ocean plastic
Each pair uses an average of 11 plastic bottles and incorporates recycled plastic into the laces, heel webbing, heel lining and sock liner covers.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is suing big oil for climate change
Two months after New York’s Mayor announced he was suing oil companies for their role in climate change, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed he intends to do the same, stating oil companies are “knowingly killing people.”
U.S. students stage national school walkout to urge action on gun violence
Students began a national walkout Wednesday morning to press elected officials to take action on school gun violence, one month after the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., killed 17 people.
Assault weapons not protected under the Second Amendment, rules U.S. Federal Court
The court ruling states ‘weapons of war’ are not protected under the US Constitution.
Daniela Vega makes Oscars history as first openly transgender presenter
The actress emerged on stage to introduce Sufjan Stevens’s performance of “Mystery of Love” from Call Me By Your Name making her the first openly transgender Oscars presenter.
Walmart raises minimum age for gun buyers to 21
Walmart, the biggest gun seller, announced late in the afternoon that it would not sell any gun to anyone under 21 years of age. It also said it would no longer sell items resembling assault-style rifles, including toys and air guns.