Политика

What went right? October to December 2017

Author: Lucy Purdy / Source: Positive News

From political upheaval to humanitarian crises, the final three months of 2017 have seen many challenges. But behind the headlines are inspiring stories of progress. Here are 20 of our favourites

1. Nations united to outlaw commercial fishing in the Arctic Ocean

The EU and nine nations including the US, Russia, China and South Korea reached a deal to make the Arctic off-limits to commercial fishers for the next 16 years.

The pact, announced in November, will give scientists more time to understand the region’s marine ecology and the potential impacts of climate change become fishing becomes widespread there.

2. France banned fracking and oil extraction in all of its territories

French parliamentarians passed a law in December, banning fossil fuel extraction. President Macron says he wants France to lead the world with the switch to renewables.

3. The measles vaccine saved millions of lives, it was revealed

In October, new research from the Center for Disease Control showed that the measles vaccine saved 20.4 million lives between 2000 and 2016.

4. More countries banned the use of wild animals in circuses

In November, the Indian government officially banned the use of all wild animals in circus performances. A month later, the Italian parliament did the same. Now, 40 nations have animal circus bans in place.

Help us change the news for good

5. Global deaths from tuberculosis have fallen, figures showed

In November, the WHO announced that global deaths from tuberculosis have dropped by 37 per cent since 2000. It means an estimated 53 million lives have been saved.

6. Millions more got access to electricity

The International Energy Agency announced in October that nearly 1.2 billion people around the world have gained access to electricity in the last 16 years.

7. The UK and Canada led a global alliance against coal

In November, a new global alliance of more than 20 countries including the UK, France, Mexico, Canada and Finland, committed to end their use of coal before 2030.

8. California recognised non-binary genders, and Germany made a significant ruling too

California became the first US state to legally recognise non-binary genders, and Germany’s top court ruled that lawmakers must legally recognise a third gender from birth.