📈 Human Progress
In the last decades humanity has made great progress with less extreme poverty, increased health, wealth and democracy. We follow in the tradition of professor Hans Rosling.
👴🏿 Life expectancy is increasing globally, but most notably in Eastern Africa
The global average life expectancy increased by 6.2 years between 1990 and 2021, primarily due to decreased deaths from intestinal infections. Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa saw the largest increase, with 10.7 years.
🤑 Gen Z is richer than previous generations at the same age
Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, has significantly higher incomes and greater financial stability compared to millennials and baby boomers at the same age.
🌎 Global Overshoot Day occurs later this year
According to the Global Footprint Network, ecological "overshoot" occurs when human demand exceeds the regenerative capacity of natural ecosystems. The later in the year this day occurs, the better. (But the model also has clear flaws.)
🚗 Fewer traffic deaths in the US last year
Traffic deaths in the USA decreased by 3.6 percent last year. This marks the second consecutive year of a decrease in deaths, despite an increase in miles driven.
📰 This is what the news could look like
The big news was not how many died in the earthquake in Taiwan, but how many did NOT die
🏢 Thousands of deaths avoided in Taiwan earthquake
Building codes and infrastructure have been strengthened to withstand seismic forces, reducing damage and saving lives. An advanced early warning system and education programs have helped prepare the population.
☯️ Bad and better – at the same time
For the first time, fewer than five million children are dying per year. Fantastic! But... nearly five million dead children, terrible! Hans Rosling taught us that something can be bad and get better at the same time.
👩⚕️ Sharp decline in tuberculosis in Cambodia
The number of tuberculosis deaths has decreased by 45 percent during the 21st century. New cases of tuberculosis have also decreased by 45 percent during the same time period.
☣️ Toxic chemical emissions have decreased by 21% over ten years
Emissions of toxic chemicals in the USA decreased by 21 percent between 2013 and 2022. Over this ten-year period, emissions from manufacturing facilities decreased by 9 percent while the economic value that the manufacturing industry contributed to the American economy increased by 14 percent.