📈 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.
✊ The greengrocer's revolution
Nothing has done more to create human progress than democracy. There is nothing more important than achieving a fully democratic world as quickly as possible. Then even a grocer can make a difference.
💉 Three West African countries begin vaccinating against malaria
Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have started vaccinating children against malaria. The vaccine has shown a significant reduction in malaria diseases and child mortality in initial African pilot programs.
🗳️ Global support for democracy is at a record high – 85%
85 percent of people globally believe that democracy is important in their country. The highest number so far.
🧒🏿 40% of the reduction in child mortality is thanks to vaccines
Vaccines have prevented 154 million deaths since 1974, of which 146 million were children. Thus, vaccines account for 40 percent of the reduction in child mortality.
🏭 Record reduction in emissions within the EU emissions trading system
Emissions under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) decreased by 15.5 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. ETS emissions are now about 47 percent lower than 2005 levels, well on the way to the 2030 target of a 62 percent reduction.
📉 Decrease in youth suicide in Europe
A number of European countries have shown a decline in youth suicide since the year 2000. Long-term preventive efforts may have contributed to this positive development.
👴🏿 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.)