Archive of Human Genius

The world’s largest database of good news and social change milestones from throughout human history

We are building the world’s largest database of social change milestones, from the first fire to today’s good news. Change is not only possible, it has happened consistently throughout human history. Filter by era, country, topic, actor, source, and more.

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  • School of fish
    2020 C.E. December 8

    14 countries commit to ocean sustainability initiative

    Governments from 14 countries responsible for 40% of the world's coastlines and 20% of global fisheries have committed to sustainably manage their national waters by 2025 and encouraged all other nations to join them by 2030.


  • Bern, Switzerland
    2020 C.E. December 7

    Switzerland is set to be the next country to legalize marriage equality

    The Council of States passed a law that would legalize marriage equality with a 22-15 vote, with seven abstentions. The lower house passed the bill this past June. The bill now goes back to the National Council for final approval and it is expected to pass before the end of the year.


  • fusion medical animation rnr D FNUNY unsplash
    2020 C.E. December 7

    New Africa alliance aims to tackle deadly COVID ‘infodemic’

    The Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA), brings together 13 international and regional organizations, together with fact-checking groups which have expertise in data and behavioural science, epidemiology, research, digital health and communications.


  • Nanshan Cultural Tourist Zone, Sanya, China
    2020 C.E. December 7

    Chinese island province of Hainan bans all disposable plastics

    Plastic polymer food containers, forks, drink cups, knives, straws, plastic bags, packaging bags, and other items that are not biodegradable are no longer allowed to be sold at major establishments like supermarkets, hospitals, government and state-owned buildings like schools, and tourist attractions.


  • Ocean view
    2020 C.E. December 4

    Denmark announces end to oil & gas exploration in North Sea

    According to the Washington Post, the Danish Parliament voted on December 3 to end offshore gas and oil extraction, which had started in 1972 and made the country the largest producer in the European Union. The Danish government says it is “now putting an end to the fossil fuel era.”


  • San Fransisco, CA
    2020 C.E. December 4

    San Francisco, Oakland, and Seattle ban natural gas in new buildings

    In November, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted to ban natural gas in new buildings. On December 2, Oakland’s city council did the same. Now Seattle Mayor Durkan announced a proposal to ban natural gas in new commercial and large multi-family construction for space and most water heating.


  • Anchorage, Alaska, USA
    2020 C.E. December 4

    Anchorage introduces team of mental health first responders

    Starting next year in Anchorage, Alaska, a new team of mental health first responders will replace police for emergency calls for someone with a mental health issue. The Mobile Crisis Team is funded by a new local alcohol tax and the team is trained to be dispatched to situations police do not have adequate training to address.


  • Woman with hand on head
    2020 C.E. December 3

    First of-its-kind study suggests psilocybin can help treat migraines

    A first-of-its-kind exploratory study, led by researchers from Yale School of Medicine, has found a single dose of the psychedelic psilocybin can reduce migraine frequency by 50 percent for a least two weeks.


  • Cherokee woman putting on white jacket
    2020 C.E. December 3

    First tribally-associated medical school in the United States launches in the Cherokee Nation

    In rural Oklahoma, a brand new medical school sits in the Cherokee Nation, training Nation members to become physicians at Nation clinics. Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation is the first tribally associated medical school in the country.


  • Nasdaq listing on newspaper
    2020 C.E. December 3

    Nasdaq to mandate diversity requirements for listed companies

    The diversity requirements would mandate that each of the Nasdaq’s 3,249 companies have at least one female director and at least one director who identifies as an underrepresented minority or LGBTQ+.



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