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This thread is for discussing ways the world is getting better. You can interpret this however you like, but if you'd like some pointers: last time we had some Our World In Data-sourced "mortality rates in under 5s have fallen by X%" facts, some recent announcements from the news, and much more. I’d also love to see examples of ways the EA community is making the world better. To anyone that needs to hear it — it’s not bragging, it’s sharing useful and motivating information.
Last time we ran this banner, there wasn’t a discussion thread. This meant there was no room for caveats or pushback (horror!). This time, I’d love to see discussions springing out of the comments people make on the banner. However, be aware that these comments will be about things that people find motivating/ exciting, so consider that when you are adding context/ pushing back.
"Why I'm long-term bullish on the Middle East" by Noah Smith has some great good news stories
- Wars in the Middle East are becoming less violent (contrary to many media narratives)
- The Middle East is building a ton of desalination plants to provide fresh drinking water
- Investment in solar energy is booming
"In other words, with solar power rising and oil becoming less important, and with its demographics in a favorable position, the Middle East is primed for an economic and political reinvention."
In the past 30 years, HIV has gone from being a lethal disease to an increasingly treatable chronic illness.
2024 might have been a global breakout year for geothermal energy. Next generation technologies make it possible to drill for heat in places where this was previously impossible.
Our World In Data has amazing daily data insights. This one from a couple of days ago is astonishing to me. https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/in-the-last-30-years-almost-everybody-in-bangladesh-gained-access-to-electricity
This is actually crazy and encouraging in Uganda where this feels a long way off, amazing to see!
Global production of primary crop commodities reached 9.6 billion tonnes in 2022, increasing by 56 percent since 2000 and just 0.7 percent since 2021. (FAOSTAT)
We are growing more, and better, and now that we have CRISPR in plant selection, my guess is that we are going to start producing much more nutritious and tasty vegetables without sacrificing the yield rates.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/08/climate/direct-air-capture-plant-iceland-climate-intl/index.html