Wholesome news

Wholesome news

today we are all about gratitude

10 wholesome things that happened this year

What if I told you that 2023 was the best year ever for global health, conservation and clean energy and one of the best years ever for economic and social justice? You probably would say: “Micael, you’re bananas!”

But here’s the thing: The news is supposed to tell us what's happening in the world. It doesn't. It tells us what's going wrong. Thanks to a combination of commercial pressures, cognitive bias and cultural habits, we became used to see the worst of humanity, without highlighting any progress, healing or restoration. From my perspective though, when we only hear stories of doom, we fail to see the stories of possibility. We deny ourselves the opportunity to do better.

Therefore, here’s a list of 10 amazing things (just a tiny fraction) that happened this year:

1.  Global Poverty Reduction Back on Track

Overcoming setbacks from the pandemic, the World Bank predicts a decline in poverty for the majority of low and middle-income countries in 2023. India and Indonesia stand out, with India lifting millions out of poverty over the past two decades, and Indonesia significantly reducing the percentage of people living on less than $3.20 a day.

2. Global Triumphs in Disease Eradication

This year witnessed an unprecedented number of countries successfully eliminating various diseases. Egypt achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first nation to eradicate hepatitis C, despite once having the highest global burden. Additionally, the Maldives conquered leprosy, Bangladesh vanquished black fever and elephantiasis, and Niger emerged as the first African nation to eliminate river blindness. Furthermore, trachoma was eradicated in Benin, Mali, and Iraq, rubella in Timor-Leste, Bhutan, and North Korea, sleeping sickness in Ghana, and malaria in Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Belize

3. Pinnacle Year for Clean Energy

The embrace of wind and solar power exceeded all expectations, causing a revision of global fossil fuel use predictions. The International Energy Agency (IEA) revealed in October that the peak of global fossil fuel use might occur two years earlier than anticipated just a year ago. More than 120 countries, including major carbon emitters China and the United States, committed to tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. This ambitious target, if achieved, would keep the world on course for the 1.5°C goal.

4. U.S. Economic Miracle Unfolds

Contrary to economists' predictions, the U.S. not only avoided a predicted recession but also achieved the fastest GDP growth among advanced economies. The administration created 14 million jobs, unemployment reached its lowest point since WW2, and inflation returned to pre-pandemic levels. Economic inequality trends reversed, and wealth increased for households and specific age groups.

5. Remarkable Decrease in Deforestation

In 2023, deforestation across nine Amazonian countries plummeted by 55.8% compared to the previous year. Brazil's deforestation rate saw a remarkable 40% decline, the largest single-year drop on record. Over a million hectares of forest were protected across South America, contributing to the preservation of vital biodiversity hotspots.

6. Quiet Advances in Smoking Reduction

A remarkable 5.6 billion people are now covered by at least one smoking reduction policy, preventing an estimated 300 million additional smokers. Progress is not limited to smoking; humanity has made astonishing strides in reducing drowning, with deaths dropping from 531,956 to 295,210 in the last three decades, accompanied by a 57.4% decrease in age-standardized mortality rates.

7. Solar Revolution Transforms Climate Landscape

Humanity installed an astounding 413 GW of solar power this year, a 58% increase from 2022. This marks a doubling of the world's solar capacity in just 18 months, making solar the fastest-growing energy technology in history. The IEA confirmed in September that solar photovoltaic installations are surpassing the trajectory needed to achieve net zero by 2050, potentially making solar the world's dominant energy source by the end of this decade.

8. Anticipated Drop in China's Carbon Emissions

In a significant development, China, the world's largest carbon polluter, is expected to see a decline in carbon emissions next year. This unprecedented shift is attributed to China's massive deployment of 300 GW of solar and wind energy in 2023, nearly double its 2022 total. This marks the most substantial single-year energy deployment in human history.

9. Positive Trends in Girls' Education

UNICEF reports a noteworthy increase of 50 million girls in school compared to 2015. Completion rates for girls in primary and high school have risen, with an additional five million girls completing all levels of education annually compared to seven years ago.

10. Advancements in LGBTQ Rights Worldwide

Positive strides in LGBTQ rights include Estonia legalizing same-sex marriage, Thailand amending its civil code to allow same-sex marriage, and various legal rulings in favor of same-sex unions in Peru, Romania, Bulgaria, Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. The historic shift in the Catholic Church, with Pope Francis allowing blessings for unmarried and same-sex couples, marks a significant milestone.

Bonus: Species on the Path to Recovery

Several endangered species, including the African lion, American alligator, bald eagle, black rhino, and snow leopard, show signs of recovery. Conservation efforts have positively impacted various ecosystems, signaling hope for the future of global biodiversity!

ps: I didn’t put all the sources because they were many many many and this is not a thesis. Also, you guys are totally capable of googling if - by any chance - you want to read it more in depth. 😋