Major Democratic Achievement for Afghanistan
Last week's presidential election in Afghanistan marked the first-ever democratic transfer of power from one elected leader to another in Afghan history.
Chemical Pollution Decreases
The EPA reported that chemical pollution released into the environment fell more than 4 percent from 2003 to 2004, due mostly to the metal mining, electric utility and hazardous waste industries. (Read All Good Bites)
Domestic Violence Plummets in U.S.
Domestic violence against spouses and intimate partners in the U.S. fell by nearly two-thirds in recent years, reaching a 30-year low. Government figures show the marked declines began in 1994.
Wind Energy Surges in Ohio Over Five Years
Wind power generation has exploded in Ohio with the capacity increasing from 7.4 megawatts in 2008 to 428 megawatts in 2012. With utility companies erecting 423 turbines, the output grew from enough to power 1,300 homes to more than 100,000 homes.
Singapore Opens “Green” Airport Terminal
"Singapore opened a new "green" airport terminal on Wednesday, boasting 919 energy-saving skylights, a butterfly garden and over 200 species of foliage spread over enough floor space to cover 50 soccer fields." (Reuters)
Albuquerque Residents Recycle Big in 2014
Albuquerque residents smashed their recycling record in 2014, collecting 70 percent more than they did in 2013. (KOAT)
Europe’s Air Getting Cleaner
European emissions of acid rain-causing sulphur dioxide have declined by 65 percent since 1990, achieving a 2010 target to cut pollution from coal-burning power plants and heavy industry years ahead of schedule.
US Teen Birth Rate Lowest Since 1940
The falling US teenage birth rate sunk to its lowest level since record-keeping began in 1940, according to a new government report. From 2007 to 2010 the rate fell another 9 percent and was seen among all racial and ethnic groups. (Since 1991, the overall teen rate has dropped by 44 percent.)
Brazil’s Carbon Emissions Dropped by 39 percent
Greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil fell by nearly 39 percent in the five years before 2010, largely because of reductions in the amount of forest loss, according to a new government report.
With a Shrimp on the Barbie: Australia Named Happiest Nation – Again!
For the third year in a row Australia has been named the happiest place to live among developed nations, according to the latest ranking issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation. The US placed 6th, after Sweden (2nd), Canada (3rd), Norway (4th) and Switzerland.
Electric Utility Emissions 70% Cleaner Than in 1990
Yearly measurements from the 100 largest power producers in the U.S. show that emissions from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are 70 percent lower than they were in 1990, according to a new report that highlights progress in the nation's electric power sector. Mercury is down 40 percent since 2000, the first year it was tracked.
Community Foundation Giving Increased 6.7 Percent Despite Economy
Even in the face of a worsening economy, the nation's 717 community foundations raised their giving by an estimated 6.7 percent in 2008 to a record $4.6 billion, and outpaced corporate foundation funding for the first time, according to Key Facts on Community Foundations, a May 2009 report from the Foundation Center.
Americans are Living Longer
Life expectancy in the US is at an all-time high of 78 years and 9 ½ months, according to a report released today by the CDC. (ABC)
China Spends $1Billion on River Clean Up
China will invest around 1.2 billion USD over the next five years to curb the pollution of the Songhua River, funding more than 200 projects, half of which will address industrial pollution, 70 will focus on sewage processing. (Read All Good Bites)
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.
Iran to Appoint Female Ambassador
Iran is set to promote its Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to be the first female ambassador abroad since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. (Telegraph)
Ivory Cross-Border Trading Banned by eBay
eBay announced this week a ban on international trading of elephant ivory from all its sites worldwide after an animal welfare group found that 94 percent of the ivory up for auction there was potentially illegal.
Trends: Teens Eating Better, Exercising More
Teenagers are eating less sugar, more fruits and vegetables, and exercising more, which may be cutting obesity rates, a new study shows. -NYTimes
Colombia Army and Rebels Meet in First-ever Peace Talks
Colombian military officers and leftist guerrillas from FARC met face-to-face for the first time in their 50-year war, starting talks on a ceasefire. (Reuters)
Chicago Gun Violence is Down for 8th Month in a Row
Chicago Gun Violence is Down for 8th Month in a Row, according to city crime report. (ABC News)