This year is likely to be remembered as one of escalating conflict and pervasive political upheaval globally. However, amidst the turmoil, notable progress emerged, often unnoticed. Here’s a look at ten uplifting stories from 2024 that highlight the resilience of humanity and the advancements we’ve achieved.
1. A Guinea Worm Milestone
The fight against guinea worm disease is nearing a historic victory. In the mid-20th century, cases soared to nearly 50 million. Through dedicated efforts, that number plummeted to just 14 by 2023. This year, there were only three reported cases between January and June, possibly signaling the first year in which cases may drop to single digits. The goal is to eradicate this painful disease by 2030, with ongoing focus on reducing animal infections mainly in Chad.
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2. Progress on Marriage Equality
Marriage equality saw significant strides this year, with Thailand and Greece legalizing same-sex marriage, marking historical firsts for Southeast Asia and Orthodox Christian nations, respectively. In addition, Israel’s Supreme Court permitted same-sex couples to adopt children, while Namibia decriminalized consensual same-sex relations, further bolstering the rights of LGBTQ+ communities.
3. Coal is Dead in the U.K.
In a remarkable environmental milestone, the United Kingdom shut down its last coal-powered plant, joining a select group of countries that have entirely phased out coal. Other nations like Denmark and Chile are also rapidly transitioning to cleaner energy sources, although coal remains prevalent in China and India.
4. Renewable Energy Expansion
The renewable energy sector continued to break records this year. The International Energy Agency projects that the share of global energy derived from renewables will rise from 30% in 2023 to 46% by 2030, dominated by solar and wind energy. Several countries are positioned to achieve 100% renewable electricity by the decade’s end, marking a significant shift in the global energy landscape.
5. AI Archaeology
Artificial intelligence made headlines beyond the usual concerns of job displacement and ethics. This year, AI helped uncover over 300 ancient etchings in Peru’s Nazca Desert and enhanced search and rescue operations, forecasted weather more accurately, and even flagged fraudulent financial activities totaling $1 billion. One of AI’s more whimsical contributions involved deciphering ancient scrolls buried by Vesuvius for 275 years, revealing new historical insights.
6. mRNA Mania
Building on the success of mRNA technology in combating COVID-19, this year witnessed trials for an mRNA lung cancer vaccine and an mRNA vaccine targeting norovirus, showcasing the potential for this innovative approach in treating various diseases.
7. Two Treatment Breakthroughs
The FDA approved Cobenfy, a groundbreaking schizophrenia drug acting on muscarinic receptors instead of the traditional dopamine pathways, significantly reducing side effects that often dissuade adherence to treatment. Additionally, lenacapavir, an antiretroviral treatment for HIV, showed 100% effectiveness in trials, only requiring injections twice a year, marking a major advancement in HIV prevention.
8. Protecting Women and Girls
This year saw important legislative advances for women’s rights. Colombia, Zambia, and Sierra Leone outlawed child marriage, while Gambia chose to uphold its ban on female genital cutting, preventing a potential reversal of an essential protective law. Additionally, Malaysia updated its constitution to allow children born abroad to Malaysian mothers to receive citizenship, a progressive shift towards gender equality in citizenship rights.
9. Local Progress Against Disease
- Jordan achieved a world-first by eliminating leprosy, significantly impacting the 200,000 annual cases worldwide.
- Egypt received malaria-free certification, ending a history of the disease since 4000 BCE.
- Cape Verde was recognized as the third African country free of malaria in 50 years.
- Timor-Leste eliminated elephantiasis, and India and Pakistan successfully eradicated trachoma, a leading cause of blindness.
- Guinea eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus, leaving just ten countries still afflicted.
10. Minimum Wage Hikes
The minimum wage scenario in the United States witnessed transformative changes, with the percentage of workers earning under $15 per hour dropping to 13%, down from nearly 32% in 2022. States like Alaska and Missouri voted to raise their minimum wage, with several others set to follow suit, indicating a growing trend towards ensuring fair wages for workers.
