2020 C.E.

Temple at Bagan

Myanmar eradicates trachoma

The World Health Organization has validated that the disease has been eliminated from the country: This is extra impressive, because in 2005, trachoma was responsible for 4% of all cases of blindness there. The nation joins Nepal in the WHO South-East Asia Region and 12 countries globally to achieve this feat.

Lights of human head and brain

Microdosing LSD improves mood and cognition, according to new study

In the placebo-controlled study, published in European Neuropsychopharmacology, scientists from University of Basel and Maastricht University gave volunteers either a small dose of LSD or a placebo, then measured their ability to pay attention and process information, as well as keeping an eye on their mood.

ZEROe Airbus

Airbus unveils world’s first zero-emission commercial aircrafts

Collectively dubbed ZEROe, the climate-neutral, zero-emission concepts are designed to carry maximum passenger loads between 100 and 200 people for flights that range from short-haul trips to transcontinental journeys. Airbus’ hydrogen-powered commercial aircrafts could enter service as early as 2035.

dominik vanyi Mk ls UBO E unsplash

Poland’s once-mighty coal industry is in retreat

Even though Poland produces more coal than any other nation in the European Union, the industry’s inefficiencies and plummeting global prices have reduced its 70 mines in 1990 to about 25 today; in that same period, the number of miners has plummeted from 388,000 to 80,000.

Singapore

Singapore to plant 1 million native trees

In an effort to restore Singapore’s once-rich mangrove forest ecosystems, the nation is embarking on a 1 million tree planting spree in hopes that they can save numerous bird, reptile, and tree species from extinction, and provide a ton of valuable ecosystem services.

Offshore wind turbines

Offshore wind grew 19% globally in 2019

Global installed offshore wind capacity reached 27,064 MW in 2019 — a 19% increase from the previous year. Industry analyst projections indicate that offshore wind costs will continue to decline globally over the next decade.

Helsinki

Finland aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2035

Finland has communicated its long-term low greenhouse gas (GHG) emission development strategy (LEDS) to the UNFCCC. Finland’s LEDS charts scenarios and impact assessments to achieve its 2035 carbon neutrality target, and reviews longer-term emissions reduction and removal opportunities by 2050.

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