📈 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.
🍫 Breakthrough: Chocolate without sugar is no longer a bitter dream
Researchers in Switzerland have developed a method to produce chocolate without added sugar. The entire cocoa fruit is used in the process, which reduces food waste. The method can increase income for cocoa farmers and create jobs in countries of origin.
🥵 Reduced mortality in heat waves
Heat waves cause many deaths globally – but the trend is pointing downward. The number of deaths per capita caused by heat waves decreased by 7.2% per decade globally.
🏝️ Several atolls are growing despite rising sea levels
Scientists have discovered that many coral islands are growing or maintaining their size despite rising sea levels. Over 1000 islands have been studied and shown surprising resilience to sea level rise.
🌾 Record harvests lead to lower food prices
Grain prices have fallen to their lowest level in four years. American farmers are expected to harvest record amounts of corn and soybeans. Weather conditions have been favorable in the world's most important agricultural areas.
⚖️ Global inequality decreases both between and within countries
Global inequality has decreased dramatically since the 1980s. Inequality within countries has stopped increasing and has decreased over the last decade. Poverty is decreasing faster than previously estimated, even at higher poverty thresholds.
📉 Reduced mortality for all ages, not just children
Infants, children, adults, and the elderly all have a lower risk of dying today compared to the past. The risk of dying during the first day of life has decreased sevenfold in 100 years in England and Wales. At one year of age, the risk of dying is 100 times lower 2021 compared to 1921.
💡 Musings of the Angry Optimist: What was humanity's first idea?
Once upon a time, there were no ideas. Not a single one. But then someone had an idea. Humanity's first.
💵 More and more Nigerians are refusing bribes
Over 70 percent of Nigerians surveyed refused to pay bribes at least once during 2023. The proportion reporting bribery attempts increased from 3.6 percent in 2019 to 8.6 percent in 2023.
🐟 Giant fish in the Amazon recovers, after successful efforts by local population
The arapaima, one of the world's largest freshwater fish, is increasing in numbers in the Amazon. Local communities have introduced sustainable fishing methods that led to a 425% increase in 11 years.