🧬 CRISPR adapts crops and livestock to withstand warmer climate
Scientists have already created cattle with shorter coats for warmer climates and rice that can handle drier conditions. Several companies are now working to develop corn with shorter and stronger stalks that reduce the risk of damage during severe storms.
📉 Deaths from air pollution decrease globally
Deaths caused by air pollution from fossil fuels decreased by 7 percent between 2016 and 2021.
🌡️ New material captures CO2 more efficiently than large trees
A new yellow powder material captures carbon dioxide from the air 10 times faster than other materials. The material can be reused hundreds of times without decreased effectiveness.
⚡ 550% increase in data centers led to only 6% higher electricity consumption
More efficient computer chips have reduced energy intensity by 99 percent since 2008. IEA predicts that data centers will account for only 3 percent of increased electricity consumption by 2030.
🚣 The Cuyahoga River was so polluted it caught fire - now it's making a comeback
The Cuyahoga River in Ohio has undergone a dramatic improvement from being one of America's most polluted waterways to now having water quality good enough to reintroduce sturgeon. The river that used to regularly catch fire due to industrial pollution is now home to blue herons and bald eagles.
👩⚕️ Tuberculosis steadily declining
Global tuberculosis cases have stabilized after pandemic increase - 10.8 million cases in 2023 compared to 10.7 million in 2022. Mortality continues to decline - 1.25 million deaths in 2023, down from 1.32 million in 2022.
🔋 EV sales increase while gas car sales continue to decline
China grew by 35 percent and North America by 10 percent. Sales of new gas-powered cars have decreased by approximately 25 percent since 2017.
🐠 Coral reefs show unexpectedly strong resilience to warming
Coral reefs continue to grow even under warmer conditions according to a new two-year experiment in Hawaii. The experiment shows that coral reefs can survive if global warming is limited to 2 degrees Celsius.
🎓 People worldwide have high trust in scientists
A new comprehensive study shows that the majority of people in 68 countries have high trust in scientists and their methods.