Mayors Combat Greenhouse Gases in US
More than 160 mayors have pledged to curb greenhouse gases in their cities according to the guidelines of the Kyoto Protocol. (2005)
NY Subway Crime Dips to Lowest Rate in 37 Years
New York subway crime has plummeted more than 37 percent in 2006. That's on top of the decrease in 2005 of about 5.5 percent. Robberies were down 21 percent in 2006. Grand larcenies declined 46 percent and assaults fell 55 percent, NYPD data showed.
Record Number of Women Sworn into New U.S. Congress
On January 3, 2013, a record number of women were sworn in as members of the 113th U.S. Congress. 80 new congresswomen joined a total of 20 female senators to produce a record number serving in both chambers.
Canadian Smoking Rate is Lowest Ever
A national survey has found that the smoking rate among Canadians is at an all-time low, at 15 percent of the population. (The Star)
Encouraging Rise in UK Paper Collections
A new study revealed that the UK collected over 8.6 million tons of recovered paper last year, a big jump over the previous year and an increase of 7.5%. The rise mirrors the growth reported in both 2005 (8.7%) and 2004 (12.8%).
Worldwide Renewable Energy Jobs Hit Almost 6.5 Million In 2013
Global renewable jobs hit almost 6.5 million in 2013, a 14 percent increase over the previous year, driven by the rising solar market and employment in China, says a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency.
EU to Beat 2020 Climate Change Targets
By 2020, the European Union will have cut its carbon emissions by 20 percent more than it had pledged it would under the Kyoto climate change treaty, according to an announcement made at a meeting of the bloc's environment ministers May 14.
More People Living Longer in England, Wales
The number of people over the age of 90 has tripled since 1981 in England and Wales. The population living more than 100 years has quintupled, from 2,420 to 12,320.
Trucker Drives Million Miles, No Accidents
Michael Crone was honored by his Indianapolis trucking company for his consistantly safe driving -- over one million miles with no accidents in his 20-year career. The 43-year-old truck driver was the 13th in the company’s history to achieve the mark. (Read More Good Bites)
US Finally Regains the Jobs Lost in the Recession
The U.S. economy has reached a milestone: It has finally regained all 8.8 million private-sector jobs it lost during the Great Recession. March 2014 job growth figures also signaled that stronger gains could lie ahead. -AP
US Helps to Relieve Afghan Hunger Caused by 2011 Draught
The U.S. is helping to alleviate hunger in Afghanistan through its Food for Peace program, a program originally started during the Eisenhower administration. A $40 million donation was used to purchase wheat from Kazakhstan for distribution in 14 affected Afghan provinces. (Food For Peace)
50 New Species Discovered Each Day in 2006
16,969 species new to science were discovered and described in 2006 -- an average of nearly 50 species per day -- reports the International Institute for Species Exploration in partnership with the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. (Read All Good Bites)
Signs of Coral Recovery for the Great Barrier Reef
Queensland scientists say baby corals are blooming again on the Great Barrier Reef, both in some of the shallows and also deeper areas, say scientists, which demonstrates the ability to bounce back after multiple impacts. (ABC)
California Beaches Were Less Polluted in 2013
95 percent of California beaches earned A or B grades for water quality during the summer of 2013, a 2% improvement over 2012, according to an annual report. (LA Times)
Toyota Surpasses 5 Million Mark in Hybrid Electric Car Sales
Toyota's electric hybrid car sales passed the 5 million mark in March, 2013, a milestone for the industry. The company started selling the Prius, the world's first mass produced gasoline-electric passenger car in 1997.
World Wetlands Day, A Cause for Celebration
February 2 is World Wetlands Day: From 1986-1997, the rate of wetlands loss in the United States has declined by 80 percent, according to a 2001 Fish and Wildlife Service report.
Number of Happy Russians Breaks Record
The number of happy Russians rose to a record 82 percent in April, eclipsing the previous high of 77 percent recorded in March 2008, All-Russia Public Opinion Research Center reported on Monday. - from Ria Novosti
US Vehicles Hit Record Gas Mileage in 2012
New cars and trucks sold in the US in 2012 hit a record for average of miles per gallon - 23.6 - in combined city and highway driving through improvements to engines and transmissions. Carbon dioxide emissions also hit a record low.
Heart Patients Living Longer
Heart disease rates have been falling for decades due to healthier lifestyles, but now death rates after severe heart attacks have been cut in half over the last six years, thanks to new treatments and anti-clotting drugs. Death rates of patients in 14 countries fell from 8.4% to 4.5% between 1999 and 2006, a study showed.
Leprosy Has Been Almost Entirely Defeated
Leprosy has been almost entirely defeated: Worldwide cases have dropped 97% since 1985, and it is now easily treatable, with a global target of 2020 as the year when no more children will suffer from the deformity.