It is no secret that people are becoming increasingly hopeless about the state of the world. Studies by the Pew Research Center have found that Americans’ confidence in the country has declined by 8% since 2022 and that 58% of responders agree that life for people of their demographic is worse today than it was 50 years ago. The good news: the world isn’t quite so black and white.
While there have been many tragedies in the last few years, people often overlook the positives that have also been present the entire time. Good things are happening all around the world in all aspects of life.
Environmental
Remember the ozone layer?
The ozone layer is predicted to fully recover by 2040 for most of the world and by 2066 directly over Antarctica. This will help to lower global warming by 0.5℃ and decrease the harmful effects of UV rays on humans and the environment. It also proves a critical point: we are capable of healing the planet. Its destruction was brought about by the use of chlorofluorocarbons (or CFCs), which have since been banned almost worldwide along, with many other harmful chemicals.
Along with this, scientists have made large advances in renewable and green energy, including significant increases in hydrogen-based energy, as well as solar and wind energy. In 2023, wind energy surpassed gas for electricity generation within the European Union for the first time. 27% of the electricity produced was from either wind or solar, and coal was only 12.34% of the energy produced.
Similar trends have made their way across the United States, proving to both corporations and everyday people that renewable energy is an option. In fact, in 2024 alone, over 700,000 electric vehicles have been sold, and other solutions to emissions and contaminants have arisen.
One example of this is direct air capture, in which CO2 is taken directly from the air and then stored underground or converted into new products. It uses either chemicals or filters to remove CO2 and place it deep into the ground. ExxonMobil is the leading company in these efforts and has captured 120 million metric tons of CO2. While it may not seem like it, CO2 emissions are decreasing in most areas, and environmental restoration projects are receiving more funding and recognition.
Projects like the Brazilian Amazon fund are working to restore the Amazon rainforest, as well as many other natural habitats like the Himalayas. The fund focuses on repurchasing land in order to protect the habitat, as well as many endangered species residing in it. So far, they have been successful in over 52.2 million acres of restoration in over 62 countries.
While there may always be threats to the environment, millions of people are working together to protect the planet and ensure that future generations will be able to live safely and happily in the world that every individual is building right now.
Our planet is far from dying as long as humanity continues to band together to protect it.
Humanitarian
Are lives worse now than 50 years ago?
Almost any scientist would tell you no. Breakthroughs in medicine have been increasing lifespans, promoting safe and happy lives for decades, and it hasn’t changed now. On November 5th, 2024, a new vaccine for malaria was launched in Sudan to save the lives of millions.
For decades, malaria has been the leading cause of death for children in Sudan and many other countries around the world. In 2022, over 600,000 people died from malaria, and 78% of them were children under the age of five. This vaccine, led by UNICEF, The World Health Organization, and the federal Ministry of Health, could be the key to ending the malaria crisis once and for all.
There have also been significant medical advances, including mRNA vaccines, gene therapy, and CRISPR gene editing that will allow medical professionals to administer safe, effective aid to their patients.
Aside from medicine, we have also seen a significant increase in legislation that supports minorities as well as social groups emerging to argue for justice. In the last few decades, the LGBTQ+ movement has gained traction and managed to secure many rights for LGBTQ individuals, including gay marriage, which was granted in 2015 and is now protected in 36 countries.
The movement has continued to expand and has influenced legislation to expand mandates for equal rights such as protecting transgender kids in schools. Several federal courts have come to the conclusion that Title Ⅸ protects transgender kids from discrimination based on gender identity, as it states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation, in be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
This also applies to the issue of the gender pay gap, which in 2022, reached its closest point to being equal, with women earning 78% of what a male would earn. This leaves room for improvement, but the government is putting in effort to remedy the issue. The paycheck fairness act was passed in the house in 2022, and prohibits wage discrimination on the basis of sex and increases the penalties if these laws are broken. It acts as an extension of the Equal Pay Act that was passed in 1963.
Finding Good News
It may seem like we are living in a dull and depressing age, but it is important to remember that news algorithms also aim to showcase the most impactful news, which almost always, are the tragedies. There are many news sources that focus on positive information, such as the good news network, the optimist daily, and good news for humankind.
Keeping up with positive news can help people to reduce stress and anxiety, and feel inclined to give back to others. Individuals can further the impact by donating to meaningful causes to support positive movements and projects and show their gratitude.
It seems that Armageddon may have to wait.
