42 Good Things that Happened in 2020

42 GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN 2020 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 00 14 +7.2% POLIO 124 HOURS/ MONTHS WEEK A survey of 2,000 Americans found that people spent far more time enjoying outdoor recreation. The COVID-19 vaccines Polio has been officially The total number of Water has been were developed faster than any other vaccines in history. donations to charity increased by 7.2% from 2019 to 2020. eliminated in Africa. discovered on the moon. ... ... In August, the World Health Organization announced that Africa is free from polio. In October, NASA ... announced that water on It took less than 12 months. The previous fastest development of a vaccine was for mumps; it took four years to be approved. the moon is more abundant than previously thought. This means it could provide future missions with water The average respondent spent 14 hours outside a week. Thirty percent biked around the neighborhood, 25% hiked, and 20% ran on local trails. Sixty percent of respondents said these activities are now a part of their identity. and fuel. J48 EX Home gardening bloomed in popularity. Forty-eight bird and mammal species have been saved from An enormous coral reef taller than the Empire State Building was The Nobel Prize in Advances in Chemistry was awarded to scientists who telemedicine made medical care more ... discovered the CRISPR extinction. discovered. accessible. People around the world developed a newfound passion for gardening to fill their time and beautify their homes. Many seed companies and plant companies enjoyed unprecedented sales. Wildlife gardening is on the rise, meaning that pollinators and other animals will benefit. gene-editing technology. In September, researchers announced that 48 bird and mammal species had been saved from extinction through international efforts since 1993. A massive coral reef, about The pandemic launched a revolution in how medical 1,640 feet tallI, has been discovered near Australia's care is delivered. The technology is celebrated for being able to "rewrite the code for life," Great Barrier Reef. Researchers are hopeful that new technologies will find more wonders in the Telemedicine reduces barriers and provides a critical lifeline to more offering hope that we may be able to cure inherited patients. ocean. diseases and discover new cancer therapies. +0 www The first blood test for SpaceX's Crew Dragon delivered astronauts to DeepMind's Al program AlphaFold can now determine the 3D shapes of proteins. The Pfizer COVID-19 The UK committed to Alzheimer's disease has vaccine was the first net zero emissions by the International Space approved vaccine to use MRNA technology. been cleared for 2050. widespread use. Station. ... ... In November, Crew Dragon became the first private craft certified by NASA to transport humans to the ISS. In the summer and fall, many countries, including the UK, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, announced net zero targets with actionable plans to make them happen. PrecivityAD is an early-detection blood test that can determine the It also became the fastest vaccine ever to be approved The ability to predict protein structures from their amino acid sequence will help in the West (10 months). The presence of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark sign of the disease. technology is very promising for future vaccines. accelerate life science and medicine innovations. No-kill, lab-grown meat began hitting the markets. College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving offered free moves for those AUREUS System Technology won the first James Dyson Award for Sustainability. ITER, a giant nuclear fusion reactor that Ocean Voyages Institute set a record for the fleeing abusive homes in the U.S. and Canada. could provide unlimited clean energy, launched in France. largest single haul of plastic removed from the Great Pacific ... Singapore has approved chicken "meat" grown in Garbage Patch. ... Carvey Ehren Maigue, a 27-year-old Mapúa University student, invented a materal made from rotting fruits and vegetables that converts stray UV light from the sun into renewable bioreactors for Those approved by a certified domestic violence More than 35 countries consumption. Now, dozens of companies are working on cultivating meat alternatives that are contributed to help complete the assembly phase of the nuclear fusion reactor, bringing the world one step closer to sustainable energy. In one trip, 103 tons of fishing nets and consumer plastics were removed. shelter receive free moving assistance. The company is also moving COVID-19 supplies for free. cruelty-free and better for the environment. energy. CO, SGN- CO2 co +125% A California highway French startup Carbios discovered an enzyme that can recycle plastic. Tech startup Air Company found a way to create carbon-negative rocket fuel. John Krasinski's Some The University of York invented solar panels that absorb 125% more became the first made Good News YouTube show went viral, from recycled plastic in the U.S. spreading much-needed light. cheer. ... This enzyme allows unlimited recycling of PET, which makes up half of the world's plastics. By 2022, a plant that can recycle 100,000 tons of plastic annually will be operational. ... ... With NASA award-winning In October, a checkerboard pattern on solar panels was announced, making solar energy more promising and efficient. TechniSoil Industrial created a technology that infuses existing asphalt with recycled plastic, making it safer, flatter, and more carbon conversion technology, captured CO2 from the air can be used for Since its origin, Some Good News has raised more than $2 million for various rocket fuel instead of fossil charities. durable. In October, three lanes of a 1,000-foot fuels. highway segment were successfully replaced. 22% A veteran walked 100 laps around his garden for his 100th birthday to raise money for the NHS. The 116th Congress South Korean Bong Finland gave equal Dogs trained to protect wildlife have saved the parental leave to all parents. became the most Joon Ho won the Oscar diverse in history. for Best Director for lives of 45 rhinos from poachers in South Africa. Parasite. ... ... ... A law enacted in 2020 Twenty-two percent of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are racial or ethnic minorities. Diversity has increased each year. means that starting in 2021, all parents will receive 164 days of leave regardless of gender or biology. A single parent receives double (328 days). Bong Joon Ho became the first person from an Asian country to win an Oscar. World War II veteran ... Captain Sir Tom Moore vowed to complete 100 laps to raise £1,000, but this goal was quickly surpassed, as he Canines specially trained to track down poachers and protect endangered wildlife made international news. Their keen sense of smell earned £32 million for the NHS. In July, he was knighted in a socially distanced ceremony by plays a vital role. Queen Elizabeth II. AAAA Crayola launched new inclusive skin-tone Drools the dog was Animal shelters were LGBQT employees were deemed to be Scotland became the found his forever home emptier than ever. first country to make menstrual products after waiting in a protected by civil rights employment statutes. crayons. ... Colorado shelter for free. Twenty percent of respondents to a Nielsen survey stated that they had adopted one or more dogs or cats between March and June. That is an increase of over 15% from the previous ... 729 days. In May, Crayola launched the Colors of the World ... ... In November, a bill was unanimously passed that requires local authorities to make sure period products are accessible and free to all at schools, colleges, and public places. In June, the Supreme Court ... pack, which includes 24 skin tones, giving children opportunities to "accurately color themselves into the ruled that Title VII of the In November, Drools was Civil Rights Act of 1964 extends to LGBTQ rescued after more than two years in the shelter. The owner said, "I feel like I won the lottery" as they left for home together. employees, protecting them from discrimination. world." year. 34,000 -59% 16,000 2/3 VOTEDN NASA had major successes in space The elephant population doubled in Kenya. The 2020 election had Deaths caused by Ten percent of all cars sold in 2020 were the highest voter participation in 120 terrorism fell for the exploration. fifth consecutive year. electric. In August, Kenya reported that its elephant population has doubled since 1989, years. ... ... ... The most advanced rover The Global Terrorism Index Two-thirds of the eligible population showed up to vote. reported that terrorism deaths have decreased by 59% since 2014. That is a 28% increase from 2019. Sales are predicted to go up another 50% in 2021. yet has been launched to Mars (Perseverance), and a from 16,000 to 34,000. Lions spacecraft was landed on an asteroid for the first time. are also making a comeback as poaching numbers decline. Fourteen countries : In December, the world's • biggest ocean sustainability initiative was created by Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, Palau, and Portugal. owning 40% of the world's shorelines People united over the Tiger King Netflix documentary. formed the Ocean ... Panel to end A survey by Drive Research overfishing, restore habitats, and reduce plastic pollution. indicated that 9 in 10 U.S. adults believe that Carole Baskin killed her husband. Sources: www.iter.org www.pewresearch.org www.savetherhino.org www.economicsandpeace.org www.scientificamerican.com www.nature.com www.goodnewsnetwork.org www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com AAA STATE OF PLAY® FREE