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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  • Hand holding smart phone
    2023 C.E. November 30

    Canada launches new 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline

    This three-digit hotline, similar to 911 for emergencies, connects individuals to critical suicide prevention services, giving instant assistance 24/7, free of charge. According to Statistics Canada, 4,500 individuals across the nation die by suicide every year.


  • Yara Eide clean ammonia-based ship
    2023 C.E. November 30

    Yara announces world’s first clean ammonia-powered container ship

    Green ammonia offers a solution to one of the hardest tasks in decarbonization: replacing diesel in large ships. Yara is stepping forward with a commitment to launch the world's first clean ammonia-powered container ship, ready for service in 2026. Shipping is responsible for between 1.7 and 3% of global CO2 emissions.


  • Stupa Bodhnath Kathmandu, Nepal
    2023 C.E. November 29

    Nepal registers its historic first same-sex marriage

    Nepal has just become the first South Asian country to recognize a same-sex marriage after it formally recognized the marriage of Maya Gurung and Surendra Pandey who wed in 1997.


  • Big trucks at a copper mine
    2023 C.E. November 28

    Panama copper mine to close after Supreme Court rules concession unconstitutional

    Minera Panamá will have to close the Cobre Panamá mine after the country’s highest court unanimously ruled that the terms of its contract were unconstitutional. The decision comes amid nationwide protests that blocked roads and shipping routes as Panamanians fought back against expansion of the mining sector due to its damaging environmental impacts.


  • Photo by Ana Lanza on Unsplash
    2023 C.E. November 22

    U.S. Inflation Reduction Act has driven $92 billion investment in EV production and 84,000 jobs

    Investment in new manufacturing capacity for zero-emissions vehicles, batteries, and critical minerals have jumped more than 250%, climbing from $14 billion in the year before Inflation Reduction Act’s passage to $51 billion in the year since its passage, according to the Clean Investment Monitor.


  • Small airplane
    2023 C.E. November 22

    Gulfstream completes first-ever transatlantic flight with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel

    SAF is designed to cut aviation carbon emissions by using sources that rely much less on fossil fuels: include maize, seed oils, algae, animal fats, oils, greases, farm residues, and more. According to Gulfstream, SAF has the potential to reduce net carbon emissions by 70%.


  • Car engine
    2023 C.E. November 21

    New Jersey to ban sales of gas-powered cars by 2035

    Under the state Department of Environmental Protection’s “Advanced Clean Cars II” rule, manufacturers must ensure that 43% of new light-duty vehicles they make in 2027 are electric, with the percentage rising annually to 100% by 2035. Most consumer cars and pickup trucks are considered light-duty.


  • Old phone
    2023 C.E. November 20

    Massachusetts becomes fifth state in the U.S. to make prison calls free

    “Ensuring that individuals in state and county prisons can keep in contact with their loved ones is key to enhancing rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and improving community safety,” Governor Healey said in a written statement.


  • Close-up of elephant tusks
    2023 C.E. November 20

    Canada bans import, export of elephant ivory and rhino horns including hunting trophies

    According to HSI, the African elephant population has declined by 96% over the last century, and poachers in Africa kill as many as 25,000 elephants and 1,300 rhinos every year. Poaching is the most significant threat to these species, experts say.


  • Plastic waste
    2023 C.E. November 17

    E.U. agrees to ban exports of waste plastic to poor countries

    “The EU will finally assume responsibility for its plastic waste by banning its export to non-OECD countries,” said Pernille Weiss, a Danish member of the European parliament. “Once again, we follow our vision that waste is a resource when it is properly managed, but should not in any case be causing harm to the environment or human health.”


  • Hand holding smart phone
    2023 C.E. November 30

    Canada launches new 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline

    This three-digit hotline, similar to 911 for emergencies, connects individuals to critical suicide prevention services, giving instant assistance 24/7, free of charge. According to Statistics Canada, 4,500 individuals across the nation die by suicide every year.


  • Yara Eide clean ammonia-based ship
    2023 C.E. November 30

    Yara announces world’s first clean ammonia-powered container ship

    Green ammonia offers a solution to one of the hardest tasks in decarbonization: replacing diesel in large ships. Yara is stepping forward with a commitment to launch the world's first clean ammonia-powered container ship, ready for service in 2026. Shipping is responsible for between 1.7 and 3% of global CO2 emissions.


  • Stupa Bodhnath Kathmandu, Nepal
    2023 C.E. November 29

    Nepal registers its historic first same-sex marriage

    Nepal has just become the first South Asian country to recognize a same-sex marriage after it formally recognized the marriage of Maya Gurung and Surendra Pandey who wed in 1997.


  • Big trucks at a copper mine
    2023 C.E. November 28

    Panama copper mine to close after Supreme Court rules concession unconstitutional

    Minera Panamá will have to close the Cobre Panamá mine after the country’s highest court unanimously ruled that the terms of its contract were unconstitutional. The decision comes amid nationwide protests that blocked roads and shipping routes as Panamanians fought back against expansion of the mining sector due to its damaging environmental impacts.


  • Photo by Ana Lanza on Unsplash
    2023 C.E. November 22

    U.S. Inflation Reduction Act has driven $92 billion investment in EV production and 84,000 jobs

    Investment in new manufacturing capacity for zero-emissions vehicles, batteries, and critical minerals have jumped more than 250%, climbing from $14 billion in the year before Inflation Reduction Act’s passage to $51 billion in the year since its passage, according to the Clean Investment Monitor.


  • Small airplane
    2023 C.E. November 22

    Gulfstream completes first-ever transatlantic flight with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel

    SAF is designed to cut aviation carbon emissions by using sources that rely much less on fossil fuels: include maize, seed oils, algae, animal fats, oils, greases, farm residues, and more. According to Gulfstream, SAF has the potential to reduce net carbon emissions by 70%.


  • Car engine
    2023 C.E. November 21

    New Jersey to ban sales of gas-powered cars by 2035

    Under the state Department of Environmental Protection’s “Advanced Clean Cars II” rule, manufacturers must ensure that 43% of new light-duty vehicles they make in 2027 are electric, with the percentage rising annually to 100% by 2035. Most consumer cars and pickup trucks are considered light-duty.


  • Old phone
    2023 C.E. November 20

    Massachusetts becomes fifth state in the U.S. to make prison calls free

    “Ensuring that individuals in state and county prisons can keep in contact with their loved ones is key to enhancing rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and improving community safety,” Governor Healey said in a written statement.


  • Close-up of elephant tusks
    2023 C.E. November 20

    Canada bans import, export of elephant ivory and rhino horns including hunting trophies

    According to HSI, the African elephant population has declined by 96% over the last century, and poachers in Africa kill as many as 25,000 elephants and 1,300 rhinos every year. Poaching is the most significant threat to these species, experts say.


  • Plastic waste
    2023 C.E. November 17

    E.U. agrees to ban exports of waste plastic to poor countries

    “The EU will finally assume responsibility for its plastic waste by banning its export to non-OECD countries,” said Pernille Weiss, a Danish member of the European parliament. “Once again, we follow our vision that waste is a resource when it is properly managed, but should not in any case be causing harm to the environment or human health.”



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