Denver’s unarmed 911 response team arrested no one in its first 6 months
Denver’s new Support Team Assistance Response responded to 748 incidents, with not a single one of them requiring police or leading to arrests or jail-time.
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.
Sanctuary containing ‘healthiest coral reefs in the world’ just tripled in size
The Gulf of Mexico’s largest coral sanctuary just got 200 percent bigger, now that the U.S. government formally approved the expansion of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
President Biden signs memo to protect LGBTQ rights around the globe
The memo directs executive departments and U.S. agencies working abroad “promote and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons everywhere.”
America will have a climate corps once more thanks to new executive order
Under a newly signed executive order from the White House, a new Civilian Climate Corps is being established to provide “good jobs” for young people in the U.S. and train them for environmentally friendly careers.
United States commits to protect 30% of its land and ocean areas by 2030
Currently, only 12 percent of the nation’s land and 23 percent of its ocean are protected, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
U.S. counties with more cannabis dispensaries are suffering fewer opioid deaths
A new study out of UC Davis suggests that increased access to cannabis stores that legally sell medical and recreational cannabis may help to reduce opioid-related deaths.
Pete Buttigieg becomes America’s first out Cabinet member
Buttigieg was confirmed as the Secretary of Transportation by a bipartisan vote.
Austin redirects police funding to buy transitional housing for homeless
The Austin City Council voted unanimously to purchase the Texas Bungalow Hotel & Suites for $6.7 million. The hotel is slated to become transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness.
President Biden orders end to fossil fuel subsidies
The executive order “directs federal agencies to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies as consistent with applicable law and identify new opportunities to spur innovation, commercialization, and deployment of clean energy technologies and infrastructure.”
GM commits to ending sales of gas-powered cars by 2035
GM’s CEO Mary Barra specifically announced that the company aims to be carbon neutral by 2040.