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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Era
- Tomorrow (2025 C.E. - ???)
- Today (2017 C.E. - 2024 C.E.)
- Post-modernity (1945 - 2016 C.E.)
- Modernity (1500 - 1945 C.E.)
- Post-classical (500 - 1500 C.E.)
- Civilization (3000 B.C.E. - 500 C.E.)
- Agriculture (10000 - 3000 B.C.E.)
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2020 C.E. July 7Companies cancel Atlantic Coast Pipeline after years of delays
Duke Energy Corp. and Dominion Energy Inc. are abandoning the proposed $8 billion pipeline—which aimed to carry natural gas 600 miles through West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina and underneath the Appalachian Trail
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2020 C.E. July 7Germany to abandon all coal energy by 2038
Germany’s Bundestag passed a bill banning coal as a power source. The country will abandon nuclear energy by 2022 and coal by 2038, and will aim for 55% cuts in GHG emissions by 2030 over 1990 levels.
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2020 C.E. July 6India sees new record-low tariff in 2GW solar bid
The price of solar is falling fast in India, making it even more economically competitive. Solarpack submitted a record-low bid to develop 300 MW of capacity at US¢3.16 per kWh. The previous low in India was US¢3.27 per kWh.
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2020 C.E. July 6U.S. federal judge suspends Dakota Access pipeline over environmental concerns
A federal judge has sided with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and ordered the Dakota Access pipeline shut down until a more extensive environmental review is done. It must be emptied no later than August 5, 2020.
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2020 C.E. July 6Global oil demand and CO2 emissions likely peaked in 2019
According to Norwegian energy consultancy DNV GL, global oil demand and carbon dioxide emissions probably peaked in 2019 as the COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on both.
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2020 C.E. July 3Sephora bans all mink fur eyelashes
Sephora just banned all fur eyelashes including mink and will instead produce synthetic and faux fur alternatives. The decision follows pressure from PETA and over 280,000 emails from concerned consumers.
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2020 C.E. July 3Japan begins requiring all retailers to charge for plastic bags
All retail outlets across the country are required to charge customers for the use of plastic bags. The new requirement is an attempt by the government to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the country’s rivers, forests, streams and, ultimately, surrounding oceans.
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2020 C.E. July 3Pakistan to establish 15 new national parks
Under the Protected Area Initiative, a national park will be made in each province. Under the initiative, the coverage of the protected area in the country will be enhanced to 15 per cent of the country’s land area from the current 13 per cent.
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2020 C.E. July 2Germany bans single-use plastic straws, food containers
Germany is banning the sale of single-use plastic straws, cotton buds and food containers, bringing it in line with a European Union directive intended to reduce the amount of plastic garbage that pollutes the environment.
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2020 C.E. July 2Municipal elections in France yield a string of victories for environmentalists
The unprecedented showing for Europe Écologie Les Verts, a once minor political party, means Green mayors will take charge in Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. The party also came out on top in mid-sized cities such as Tours, Besancon, Annecy and Poitiers, while retaining control of Grenoble.
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2020 C.E. August 5General Motors partners with EVgo to install 2,700 fast chargers across U.S.
General Motors is partnering with EVgo, the largest EV charging network in the US, to add 2,700 fast chargers in 40 cities across America over the next 5 years. GM and EVgo will install the stations at grocery stores, retail outlets, entertainment centers and other high-traffic areas.
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2020 C.E. August 5More than 900,000 new voters enlisted in Côte d’Ivoire
More than 900,000 eligible voters were enrolled, taking the numbers to 7.5 million before the presidential race. The Electoral Commission revised the 2018 list, estimating that five million Ivorians were not registered.
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2020 C.E. August 4New Google badge will make it easier to find Black-owned businesses
Google is launching a new tool that allows businesses to identify themselves as Black-owned through the company’s Maps and Search listings. When searching for a business through Google.com or Google Maps, users will now be able to see a new badge to represent Black-owned businesses.
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2020 C.E. August 4Largest floating solar park in Europe connected to grid in The Netherlands
More than 18 hectares in size, the solar power plant, Zonnepark Bomhofsplas, has 72,000 solar panels and is expected to provide energy for 7,200 homes. It was built in just 7 weeks.
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2020 C.E. August 4New blood test can detect prostate cancer with unprecedented precision
A new blood test for prostate cancer is producing a 99% accuracy rating—precision that has never before been achieved for a blood test of this particular kind of cancer. The test can also determine the exact stage and progression of the cancer, reducing the need for invasive biopsies and scans.
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2020 C.E. August 3Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signs sweeping police reform bill
The law institutes a new statewide watchdog for police misconduct, bans "chokeholds" in most instances and puts limits on the ability of police departments to withhold officers' disciplinary records. It also allows individual officers to be held financially liable in civil suits over their actions.
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2020 C.E. August 3Deutsche Bank to stop funding Arctic drilling after pressure from activists
The bank, a multinational investment company headquartered in Germany, announced Monday that it will no longer offer financial services to new projects that involve drilling for oil or gas in the Arctic.
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2020 C.E. August 341 states in the U.S. have reduced their carbon emissions while growing their economies
From 2005 to 2018, the country’s overall GDP increased by 25%, while energy-related carbon dioxide emissions fell 12%, because of the shift from coal to gas power, the rapid deployment of renewable energy technology, and the progress made in vehicle emission standards.
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2020 C.E. July 31New Zealand passes historic bill to ensure pay equity between men and women
New Zealand’s parliament has unanimously passed the Equal Pay Amendment Bill that ensures that women in historically underpaid female-dominated industries receive the same remuneration as men in different but equal-value work.
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2020 C.E. July 31After 250 years, Big Sur land returned to Esselen tribe
As part of a $4.5 million land deal, 1,200 acres of undeveloped private property near Big Sur are being transferred to the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving tribal heritage.