California lawmakers approve cap-and-trade extension through 2030
The vote came with bipartisan support, a significant shift from previous years where climate policies squeaked by along party lines or with only a handful of Republicans in favor.
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.
Washington State will now alert survivors when domestic abusers try to buy a gun
This alert system will be the first of its kind in the country.
46 Republicans buck party to help Democrats take down anti-climate military action amendment
The amendment would have blocked a provision in the current version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that requires a study into the 20-year impacts of climate change on the military.
New Orleans to reduce greenhouse emissions by 50% by 2030
The “Climate Action for a Resilient New Orleans” plan pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030.
Apple to build a $921 million data center entirely powered by renewables
Multinational tech company Apple recently announced plans to spend $921 million on a second renewables-powered data centre in Southern Denmark.
Seattle’s ‘democracy vouchers’ aim to amplify low-income voices
The city’s new “Democracy Voucher” program, the first of its kind in the US, provides every eligible Seattle resident with $100 in taxpayer-funded vouchers to donate to the candidates of their choice.
Teen birth rates in the U.S. hit a record low
The rate of births among 15-to-19 year olds declined by 9% in 2016 compared to 2015 a record low for that age group, according to the report from the Centers for Disease Control.
Minneapolis City Council approves $15 minimum wage
The Minneapolis City Council approved a $15 minimum wage Friday, a move years in the making that will affect hundreds of businesses and thousands of workers across the city.
111 terminally ill patients took their own lives in first 6 months of California right-to-die law
The End of Life Option Act made California the fifth state in the nation to allow patients with less than six months to live to request end-of-life drugs from their doctors.
Philadelphia commits to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035
Weeks after Mayor Jim Kenney denounced the White House’s move to reject the Paris climate accord, Philadelphia announced today that it has committed to transitioning to 100 percent clean energy.