Stanford becomes first university in the U.S. to go 100% renewable energy
Stanford will become “first research university to use 100% renewable electricity” by summer 2022, even after a wildfire burned one of its solar farms.
2021 C.E.
Israel is ending its ban on blood donation from queer men
Nitzan Horowitz, the out Minister of Health in Israel, proclaimed, “There’s no difference between one blood and the other. Discrimination against gays in donating blood is over.”
Hong Kong cracks down on wildlife trafficking
A new bill empowers law enforcement to go beyond prosecuting carriers and mules and instead crack down on the criminal syndicates responsible for illegal wildlife trafficking.
U.S. to erase student debt for those with severe disabilities
The Biden administration will automatically erase student loan debt for more than 300,000 Americans with severe disabilities that leave them unable to earn significant incomes. The move will wipe out more than $5.8 billion in debt.
Novel cement uses discarded clay to cut carbon footprint by two thirds
A research team from Germany’s Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and Brazil’s University of Pará has developed an alternative cement that drastically cuts emissions from production while meeting normal performance requirements.
First fossil-free steel delivered to Volvo cars in Sweden
HYBRIT — a joint venture between SSAB, Vattenfall, and mining company LKAB — aims to revolutionize a steel industry that, by some estimates, produces nearly 10% of all harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Australia’s big four banks to stop lending to thermal coal mining and coal-fired power plants
The Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac, and National Australia Bank are closing their books on fossil fuel financing in response to shareholder pressure.
South Korea to grant legal status to animals to tackle abuse and abandonment
The amendment will make South Korea one of a handful of countries to recognize animals as beings, with a right to protection, enhanced welfare and respect for life.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban toxic pesticide chlorpyrifos
Studies from Columbia University, University of California Berkeley, and other renowned institutions show that chlorpyrifos can damage the developing brains of children, causing reduced IQ, loss of working memory, and attention deficit disorders.
Child hunger rates in the U.S. slashed 24% after first round of Child Tax Credit payment
The percentage of American families with kids who report not having enough to eat fell dramatically after the first child tax credit payments were distributed last month, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.