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Humanity Isn’t All That Bad – 5 Things In Life That Are Getting Better

Given the volume of bad news online today, on TV, or streaming, it’s not surprising that many people feel modern humanity is going down the drain and in a slow, painful spiral of degradation. Overpopulation, novel pandemics, war, crime, irresponsible government, callous capitalism and more are dished out daily through multiple channels. No surprise, folks either turn off the news or resign themselves to enjoying the last few days before the apocalypse arrives and things go all to hell.

Fortunately, however, there are a few things that are going alright and improving humanity’s plight, irrespective of how goofed up everything seems to be according to the 24/7 media. The fact is, much of what gets reported in the news involves momentary blips, which also don’t take into account time-based trends of much larger social shifts.

Health is Up

First off, overall general health for everyone potentially continues to improve. In comparison with the rest of recorded history, humanity is at its highest level of mortality, lowest levels of famine and poverty, and more children are living than ever before. In comparison, the average family had a dozen children in the colonial U.S. because most of them died before age 5. Today, the third decade of the 21st century is producing medical solutions that have actually pushed up how long people live for, on average worldwide.

Having a Child Born is Safer

Believe it or not, up until the 1970s, having a child was a life or death risk. While there are still over 300,000 women who die in childbirth as of 2015, that is an incredibly smaller number than what was happening in the first half of the 20th century. Even earlier was worse. For example, in the year 1800, the average loss of a woman to childbirth was one out of every hundred women in Scandinavian Europe. It was worse elsewhere. A big leap forward happened when hospitals began requiring sanitization and extreme hygiene in the medical environment. The second big leap happened when pre-birth medical care became its own discipline, gaining critical attention from doctors.

Poverty is Shrinking

If one looked at the TV, he or she could be forgiven for thinking that only the U.S. and Europe have people living above the poverty line. In reality, a large number of countries have shifted into the middle development stage, improving the lives of millions in the process. Measured statistically, the number of people actually poor by definition to the point of poverty had decreased to 10 percent of the world’s population in 2015. Some 65 years earlier, that figure was 42 percent. Again, the big drivers for this increased personal wealth distribution have been improved healthcare, technology, development, and travel. 100 years ago, it was unheard of for most people to leave their town, much less their country. Today, people relocate every five years for opportunity, jobs, relationships, retirement and more. Doing so changes their life situation and provides more ways to succeed versus being stuck in a stagnant old location.

Disease is Less Deadly

While COVID-19 has been a recent exception, overall disease has become less fatal. People still get sick, many seriously, but the mortality of disease has fallen as well. Access to pharmaceuticals has made a huge difference, expanding the reach of medicine exponentially.

So yes, news on the TV is 99 percent bad most times, but in the big picture, humanity is actually succeeding and growing.

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A Love Story 80 Years in the Making: WWII Veteran to Marry Near D-Day Beaches

Renee Yates

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In a tale that spans decades and continents, Harold Terens, a 100-year-old World War II veteran, is set to marry his 96-year-old fiancée, Jeanne Swerlin, near the historic beaches of Normandy, France. This remarkable event comes 80 years after Terens first set foot in France as a young corporal in the U.S. Army Air Forces, shortly after the D-Day landings that marked a turning point in the war.

Terens and Swerlin, who have been dating since 2021, share a youthful spirit and a love for dancing. Their affection for each other is evident as they talk about their upcoming wedding, with Terens declaring, “I love this girl — she is quite special.” The couple even demonstrated their fondness for dancing by grooving to “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, showcasing their energy and zest for life.

During World War II, Terens played a crucial role in the aftermath of D-Day, repairing planes that had returned from France so they could rejoin the battle. He vividly recalls the mixed emotions of the time, with German prisoners of war relieved to have survived and American POWs bearing the scars of brutal treatment by their Nazi captors.

In late May, Terens, Swerlin, and their families will travel to Paris, where Terens and a few other surviving World War II veterans will be honored as part of the 80th-anniversary celebration of France’s liberation from the Nazis. This will be Terens’ fourth D-Day celebration in France, where he previously received a medal from President Emmanuel Macron.

The wedding is planned for June 8 in the town of Carentan-les-Marais, in a chapel dating back to the 1600s. Mayor Jean-Pierre Lhonneur, who noted the strong bond between the region and the United States due to the sacrifices made on D-Day, expressed his eagerness to officiate the ceremony. “Normandy is the 51st state,” he remarked, highlighting the deep gratitude felt by the French towards the American liberators.

The mayor is hopeful that an exception will be made to allow him to marry the couple, despite the legal requirement that only town residents can be wed in Carentan-les-Marais. “It will be a pleasure for us,” he said, underscoring the special significance of this union.

This upcoming wedding is not just a celebration of love between two nonagenarians; it’s a poignant reminder of the enduring connections forged in the crucible of war and the power of love to transcend time and history.

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A Cleaner Future: How One Prisoner Transformed La Joyita Jail with Recycling

Renee Yates

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Imagine living in a place so dirty that you have to cover your food with a towel to keep the flies away. That’s how Franklin Ayón felt when he was in La Joyita, a prison in Panama known for being overcrowded and dangerous. But Ayón decided to change things.

In 2012, Ayón was in jail for drug trafficking. He was shocked by the filth around him. “It was everywhere – in the corners, in the corridors,” he said. That’s when he came up with an idea called EcoSolidos. This program would involve prisoners in recycling. They would collect, separate, and sell waste. In return, they would get a reduced prison sentence.

The prison authorities liked the idea, and even the gang leaders, who usually fought each other, agreed to a peace deal to let the project happen. The project was a success and has been going on for 10 years. Now, 500 prisoners take part, and 80% of the prison’s waste is recycled. Plastic and aluminum are sold, while food waste is turned into compost for the prison’s gardens, where they grow fruits and vegetables.

EcoSolidos has also opened up other opportunities for prisoners to study or work. “This helps us a lot and is a benefit for society,” says González, a participant in the program. “This gives us satisfaction,” he adds. “We thought we were having a national impact, but it turns out that countries internationally are interested in what we are doing.”

Thanks to Ayón’s idea, La Joyita prison is not just cleaner; it’s also a place where prisoners can learn and grow. It’s a great example of how one person’s determination can make a big difference.

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A Majestic Discovery: The First Bald Eagle Nest in Toronto

Jess

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Have you ever seen a bald eagle? They are powerful birds with a wingspan of up to 7 feet! They are known for their sharp beak and strong talons, which they use to catch fish. Bald eagles are also a symbol of freedom in the United States.

But did you know that a bald eagle’s nest was found in Toronto for the first time in recorded history? Jules McCusker, a local resident, discovered it near his home in December. He was amazed and said, “The first thing I thought was that it was impossible.”

Experts say this is a big deal because bald eagles were once very close to extinction. They were endangered because of a chemical called DDT, which made their eggs very weak. Thanks to efforts to protect them, including banning DDT, bald eagles are making a comeback.

The return of bald eagles is a sign of a healthy environment. Jon Spero, a bird expert at the Toronto Zoo, says, “It’s a sign that an ecosystem is healthy when we see bald eagles returning to it.”

Indigenous communities, like the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, see bald eagles as sacred. They represent honor, honesty, charity, and life. Duke Redbird, an elder and poet from this community, says, “Our community has always loved the bald eagle for its strength and its capacity to represent truth and goodwill.”

However, it’s important to be careful around bald eagle nests. Afiya Jilani, a communications specialist, reminds us, “Bald eagles are sensitive creatures, particularly during their nesting period.”

The discovery of a bald eagle’s nest in Toronto is exciting news. It shows that our efforts to protect these magnificent birds are working.

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2023: A Record-Breaking Year for Solar Energy in the US

Shannon Jackson

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In 2023, the United States achieved a major milestone in the use of solar energy. A whopping 32.4 gigawatts of solar capacity were added, marking a 37% increase from the previous record set in 2021 and a 51% jump from 2022. This information comes from the US Solar Market Insight 2023 Year-in-Review, a report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie.

Solar energy played a huge role in the country’s electricity supply last year, making up 53% of all new electric generating capacity added to the grid. This is the first time in 80 years that a renewable electricity source has accounted for over half of the annual capacity additions.

Every area of the solar market grew in 2023, bringing the total installed solar capacity in the US to 177 gigawatts. The utility-scale sector, which includes large solar farms, added 22.5 gigawatts of new capacity. Meanwhile, nearly 800,000 American households decided to add solar panels to their homes.

Abigail Ross Hopper, the president and CEO of SEIA, highlighted the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on the solar industry. She said, “The Inflation Reduction Act is supercharging solar deployment and having a material impact on our economy, helping America’s solar module manufacturing base grow 89% in 2023.”

She also emphasized the importance of protecting and optimizing the policies that are driving these investments and creating jobs. With an upcoming election, she mentioned that “the stakes couldn’t be higher.”

Overall, 2023 was a groundbreaking year for solar energy in the US, demonstrating significant growth and the potential for a more sustainable future.

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A Big Win for Elephants in Bangladesh: Court Steps in to Protect Endangered Asian Elephants

Kelly Taylor

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In a significant move to protect the critically endangered Asian elephants, a court in Bangladesh has made a groundbreaking decision. This new court order is a ray of hope for these magnificent animals, banning their adoption and preventing them from being exploited. This means that the beautiful wild elephants of Bangladesh can no longer be captured and forced into captivity, a practice that has threatened their survival.

Bangladesh is home to around 200 Asian elephants, but sadly, about half of these elephants live in captivity. The Asian elephant, a majestic creature that once roamed freely across Bangladesh, has seen its numbers dwindle due to poaching and loss of habitat. This decline is alarming, especially considering that Bangladesh was once a major habitat for these gentle giants.

In the past, young elephants could be taken into captivity under a scheme that allowed the forestry department to issue licenses to logging groups. These groups would then use the elephants to haul logs, a task that is not only dangerous but also cruel. Some of these elephants even ended up in circuses, where they were forced to perform tricks for entertainment. The court found that such exploitation violated the terms of the licenses issued.

The court’s decision shines a light on the harsh realities faced by these elephants. “In the name of training elephants, private licensees including circus parties brutally separate elephant calves from their mothers, shackle them for months, and then torture them to teach tricks,” the court stated. This kind of treatment is not only heartbreaking but also unacceptable.

The hope now is that captive elephants can be rehabilitated and given a chance to live a life free from exploitation and harm. This court order is a big step in the right direction for the conservation of Asian elephants in Bangladesh. By banning the adoption and exploitation of these elephants, the court is helping to ensure that these endangered animals can live in peace and safety.

This decision is not just a win for the elephants but also for conservation efforts in Bangladesh. Protecting these critically endangered animals is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the natural world. The court’s action sends a strong message that the welfare of wildlife is a priority and that exploitation and cruelty will not be tolerated.

As we celebrate this victory for the Asian elephants in Bangladesh, it’s important to remember that the fight to protect endangered species is ongoing. This court order is a step in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done to ensure the survival of these majestic creatures. Together, we can make a difference and help protect our planet’s precious wildlife.

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