📈 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.
📉 Fewer died in wars in 2023 compared to 2022
Nearly 100,000 fewer people died in wars and armed conflicts during 2023 compared to 2022
👵 Surprise! Life expectancy in the U.S. is still going up (despite what you've heard)
Contrary to widespread reports, life expectancy in the United States continues to show signs of improvement.
💡 Hopescrolling: 52 fact-based optimistic news from every week in 2023
What were the biggest news stories of the year? If you look at mainstream media, except for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, they were all disasters. But 2023 was also full of optimistic news. Not as loud, but oftentimes just as important.
👩💻 New studies: No negative mental health impact from internet and social media
Contrary to widespread concerns, recent studies suggest that the global adoption of internet has not led to negative psychological outcomes.
🐳 Blue whales returning to the Indian Ocean
Acoustic monitoring reveals a significant presence of these whales in the region. This observation is a testament to the resilience of nature when given a chance to recover.
📉 Over 200,000 annual deaths averted through lower carbon emissions
The primary driver of this health benefit is the worldwide reduction in coal use, responsible for 80% of the mortality reduction from PM2.5 particulates.
🍛 Bangladesh has added an additional year of healthy life for just $1
Bangladesh successfully eliminates lead adulteration in turmeric. This program provided an additional year of healthy life for just $1.
🌳 Ecuador's forests are making a comeback – and AI helps track the health of the forest
Scientists have found that within the last 25 years, a cornucopia of species, from the smallest insect to the top vertebrates, have made a comeback in areas previously cleared for agriculture.
👵 Dementia has started to decline
Dementia was linked to aging, scientists thought. So as we live longer, dementia will rise. But that is not the case. In the richer parts of the world, dementia has started to decline.