Archive of Human Genius

The world’s largest database of good news and social change milestones from throughout human history

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  • Medications
    2024 C.E. August 15

    The U.S. negotiates Medicare drug price cuts that will save billions for U.S. citizens

    The United States has negotiated down the prices of 10 top-selling prescription drugs used by Medicare by as much as 79%, hoping to save $6 billion in the first year as part of a plan hailed on Thursday by President Joe Biden with the aim to ease anger about high prices ahead of November elections. Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022, was the first to allow Medicare to negotiate prices for some of the most costly drugs that the program covers for 66 million people. The new prices will go into effect in 2026.


  • Black woman smiling
    2024 C.E. August 15

    Puerto Rico bans hair discrimination

    Puerto Rico recently approved legislation forbidding discrimination against natural hair and protective hairstyles in both public and private organizations, marking a significant step forward in the fight against racial discrimination. The new rule reflects years of grassroots activism and the personal experiences of those who have encountered prejudice because of their natural hair, particularly in Afro-descendant groups.


  • Mangrove tree in the waters around Nosy Be Madagascar
    2024 C.E. August 14

    Madagascar’s mangroves are rebounding after decades of deforestation

    A new analysis of satellite imagery dating as far back as 1972 reveals that mangroves in Madagascar are rebounding after decades of deforestation. The island’s total mangrove cover is down 8% compared with 1972, but a closer look at the data shows that the rate of loss has been declining and even reversed in the last decade. Between 2009 and 2019, Madagascar’s mangrove cover increased by 5%, with mangrove forests expanding even more in protected areas — showing that conservation efforts are working.


  • Charging an EV
    2024 C.E. August 13

    Major new commitment from nearly 350 mayors to accelerate U.S. electric vehicle transition

    As a part of the 2nd anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, nearly 350 Climate Mayors announced a commitment to electrify at least 50% of municipal fleets by 2030 while increasing electric vehicle (EV) chargers by at least 500%, with at least 40% of the charging infrastructure benefitting disadvantaged communities. This collective effort is a pivotal move to meet the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to make 50% of all new vehicle sales electric by 2030.


  • Seastar
    2024 C.E. August 12

    Lab-grown starfish released into wild for the first time ever, saving species from extinction

    Due to sea star wasting disease, lower oxygen levels in seawater, and rising temperatures, starfish populations are at risk around the globe. Across the last decade, the sunflower star population plummeted by over 90%. Fortunately, in 2019, marine biologist Jason Hodin stepped up to save the sea stars from extinction. At the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs, Hodin has carefully grown and raised several generations of sunflower starfish in a controlled environment, breeding them from a select sample of starfish he rescued from the harbor five years prior.


  • Kim Coco Iwamoto
    2024 C.E. August 12

    Kim Coco Iwamoto to become Hawaii’s first trans lawmaker

    Iwamoto is known for her progressive stance, having been recognized by former President Barack Obama for her work. She’s also been supported by groups mirroring U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) politics. She supports the Green New Deal, wants to increase funding of public education in the state, promotes mass reform of the criminal justice system, and aims to invest in affordable housing.


  • Mt. Everest
    2024 C.E. August 10

    Chinese drones to transport trash from Nepal’s Mount Everest

    Nepal is set to deploy Chinese-made drones to transport garbage from the slopes of Everest, marking the first time unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be used commercially in the country's high-altitude zones. This initiative announced by China's leading drone manufacturer, Da Jiang Innovations aims to reduce the risks faced by Sherpas and improve waste management on the world's tallest peak.


  • Charging an EV
    2024 C.E. August 9

    India increases number of EV charging stations by 800% in last two years

    India has grown from 1,800 charging stations two years ago to 16,347 today, a greater than nine-fold increase. While this is great progress, the country will need more than one million stations by 2030 to keep up with the nearly $50 billion EV market expected there by 2030.


  • Hands making hear shape over transgender flag in background
    2024 C.E. August 9

    Mexico City passes law requiring harsher sentences for anti-trans murderers

    Mexico City, Mexico has passed a local law banning murders against transgender women, a practice referred to in the country as transfemicidio (transfemicide). Murderers convicted under the law would face between 35 to 70 years in prison. Nearly 600 trans people in Mexico have been murdered between 2008 and 2021. At least 10 trans women have been murdered this year in Mexico City alone.


  • Shot of a young male doctor standing with his arms crossed in an office at a hospital
    2024 C.E. August 6

    Michael Bloomberg gives $600 million to four Black medical schools’ endowments

    Black Americans fare worse in measures of health compared with white Americans, an Associated Press series reported last year. Experts believe increasing the representation among doctors is one solution that could disrupt these long-standing inequities. In 2022, only 6% of U.S. physicians were Black, even though Black Americans represent 13% of the population. Almost half of Black physicians graduate from the four historically Black medical schools, Bloomberg Philanthropies said.


  • Medications
    2024 C.E. August 15

    The U.S. negotiates Medicare drug price cuts that will save billions for U.S. citizens

    The United States has negotiated down the prices of 10 top-selling prescription drugs used by Medicare by as much as 79%, hoping to save $6 billion in the first year as part of a plan hailed on Thursday by President Joe Biden with the aim to ease anger about high prices ahead of November elections. Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022, was the first to allow Medicare to negotiate prices for some of the most costly drugs that the program covers for 66 million people. The new prices will go into effect in 2026.


  • Black woman smiling
    2024 C.E. August 15

    Puerto Rico bans hair discrimination

    Puerto Rico recently approved legislation forbidding discrimination against natural hair and protective hairstyles in both public and private organizations, marking a significant step forward in the fight against racial discrimination. The new rule reflects years of grassroots activism and the personal experiences of those who have encountered prejudice because of their natural hair, particularly in Afro-descendant groups.


  • Mangrove tree in the waters around Nosy Be Madagascar
    2024 C.E. August 14

    Madagascar’s mangroves are rebounding after decades of deforestation

    A new analysis of satellite imagery dating as far back as 1972 reveals that mangroves in Madagascar are rebounding after decades of deforestation. The island’s total mangrove cover is down 8% compared with 1972, but a closer look at the data shows that the rate of loss has been declining and even reversed in the last decade. Between 2009 and 2019, Madagascar’s mangrove cover increased by 5%, with mangrove forests expanding even more in protected areas — showing that conservation efforts are working.


  • Charging an EV
    2024 C.E. August 13

    Major new commitment from nearly 350 mayors to accelerate U.S. electric vehicle transition

    As a part of the 2nd anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, nearly 350 Climate Mayors announced a commitment to electrify at least 50% of municipal fleets by 2030 while increasing electric vehicle (EV) chargers by at least 500%, with at least 40% of the charging infrastructure benefitting disadvantaged communities. This collective effort is a pivotal move to meet the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to make 50% of all new vehicle sales electric by 2030.


  • Seastar
    2024 C.E. August 12

    Lab-grown starfish released into wild for the first time ever, saving species from extinction

    Due to sea star wasting disease, lower oxygen levels in seawater, and rising temperatures, starfish populations are at risk around the globe. Across the last decade, the sunflower star population plummeted by over 90%. Fortunately, in 2019, marine biologist Jason Hodin stepped up to save the sea stars from extinction. At the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs, Hodin has carefully grown and raised several generations of sunflower starfish in a controlled environment, breeding them from a select sample of starfish he rescued from the harbor five years prior.


  • Kim Coco Iwamoto
    2024 C.E. August 12

    Kim Coco Iwamoto to become Hawaii’s first trans lawmaker

    Iwamoto is known for her progressive stance, having been recognized by former President Barack Obama for her work. She’s also been supported by groups mirroring U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) politics. She supports the Green New Deal, wants to increase funding of public education in the state, promotes mass reform of the criminal justice system, and aims to invest in affordable housing.


  • Mt. Everest
    2024 C.E. August 10

    Chinese drones to transport trash from Nepal’s Mount Everest

    Nepal is set to deploy Chinese-made drones to transport garbage from the slopes of Everest, marking the first time unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be used commercially in the country's high-altitude zones. This initiative announced by China's leading drone manufacturer, Da Jiang Innovations aims to reduce the risks faced by Sherpas and improve waste management on the world's tallest peak.


  • Charging an EV
    2024 C.E. August 9

    India increases number of EV charging stations by 800% in last two years

    India has grown from 1,800 charging stations two years ago to 16,347 today, a greater than nine-fold increase. While this is great progress, the country will need more than one million stations by 2030 to keep up with the nearly $50 billion EV market expected there by 2030.


  • Hands making hear shape over transgender flag in background
    2024 C.E. August 9

    Mexico City passes law requiring harsher sentences for anti-trans murderers

    Mexico City, Mexico has passed a local law banning murders against transgender women, a practice referred to in the country as transfemicidio (transfemicide). Murderers convicted under the law would face between 35 to 70 years in prison. Nearly 600 trans people in Mexico have been murdered between 2008 and 2021. At least 10 trans women have been murdered this year in Mexico City alone.


  • Shot of a young male doctor standing with his arms crossed in an office at a hospital
    2024 C.E. August 6

    Michael Bloomberg gives $600 million to four Black medical schools’ endowments

    Black Americans fare worse in measures of health compared with white Americans, an Associated Press series reported last year. Experts believe increasing the representation among doctors is one solution that could disrupt these long-standing inequities. In 2022, only 6% of U.S. physicians were Black, even though Black Americans represent 13% of the population. Almost half of Black physicians graduate from the four historically Black medical schools, Bloomberg Philanthropies said.



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