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.
North & Central America
This archive covers progress stories from North and Central America, spanning the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the countries of Central America. The 1,760 articles here track milestones in areas such as public health, conservation, policy, and community-led initiatives across the region. Browse to find reported evidence of what is working and why.
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.
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.
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.
New Mexico is the third state in the U.S. to legally require 100% carbon-free electricity
The bill requires the state to get 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030 and 80% by 2040. By 2045, it must go entirely carbon-free.
U.S. FDA approves first ever treatment for postpartum depression
The newly-approved drug, sold under the brand name Zulresso, was shown to relieve depressive symptoms within hours of being administered in three different clinical trials — and it continued to show success throughout their 30-day followups.
Trader Joe’s plans to cut 1 million pounds of plastic
The move follows growing customer demand for less plastic and more sustainable packaging in Trader Joe’s stores; a change.org petition on the subject amassed over 80,000 signatures in two months.
Lake Region Electric Cooperative in Minnesota launches first-of-its-kind solar-wind hybrid renewable energy plant
In GE’s integrated renewable energy system, electricity from the solar panels is funneled through the wind turbine converter. The overall capacity of the system will increase by 3% to 4%, while boosting annual production by up to 10%.
Researcher invents biodegradable Mardi Gras beads made of algae
Hundreds of pounds of plastic beads of Mardi Gras beads end up in the New Orleans’s water system every year. Thankfully, a biologist from Louisiana State University has developed several formulas for biodegradable Mardi Gras beads made of algae.
U.S. NASA announces world’s first-ever all-female spacewalk
On March 29, Anne McClain and Christina Koch will leave the relative safety of the International Space Station for a spacewalk to upgrade the craft’s batteries – the first-ever to be all-female.