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Pandemic, pandemic, pandemic. But not everything has been bad this year, although many may feel that way. Here are, in no particular order, 15 good news from 2020.
Genre rope for the musicians of the Liceu de la Opera de Barcelona, who performed for the potted plants this summer.
1. 103 years survived the covid – celebrated with beer
When 103-year-old Jennie Stejna fell ill with COVID-19 in Massachusetts, USA, her family members feared the worst. The family called to say goodbye. But after a couple of weeks it changed and Stejna recovered from all obstacles. How did you celebrate it? With an ice cold beer.
2. Terrorism continues to reap fewer lives
The number of people killed in terrorism-related violence is declining for the fifth year in a row, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace, which compiles the Global Terrorism Index. The 2020 report shows that terrorism-related deaths decreased by 15 percent worldwide last year. And many more countries saw declines than increases.
Outdated dress code abolished in parliament
It has been described as a “little revolution”. Women can now show their shoulders and arms in the Swiss parliament, as the property council has abolished a so-called obsolete dress code. In the past, women needed to cover their arms at least to the elbows, which affected members of parliament and other visitors to the House.
The musicians held a potted plant concert at the Barcelona Opera House when it reopened after three months of closure.
4. String concert for a quiet green audience
After being closed for three months due to the pandemic, the Liceu opera in Barcelona was opened to a silent audience. The Uceli Quartet string quartet performed in front of a room filled with 2,292 potted plants, one for each empty seat. After the concert, the plants were donated to the medical staff, as a thank you for their work against the virus.
5. The new crayons include more skin tones
The American brand Crayola has developed 24 crayons representing 40 different skin tones. The purpose is that children can color figures that better represent the diversity that exists in society. The hope is to increase representation and promote a greater sense of belonging and acceptance, according to the company.
6. Germany takes initiatives to increase gender equality
Despite the fact that Germany has been led by a highly respected chancellor for 15 years, the country is below the average for gender equality in Europe. But now the government has launched a national plan to improve it, among other things with the goal of bringing more women into leadership positions in business, public administration and politics.
7. British beavers in the wild
They were hunted for their meat, skin, and scent glands and were exterminated in Britain in the 16th century. But since the early 2000s, beavers have been reintroduced to the country. And now the beavers are back in the wild and have built their first pond on Exmoor in 400 years.
8. Poland will close all coal mines by 2049
Most of the energy supply comes from coal power, and Poland is the only EU country that has not committed to being carbon neutral by 2050. But the government and unions have agreed to close the coal mines out of the country by 2049. No employee is laid off, but is allowed to work. in the remaining mines until retirement.
9. Emission-free postman in Dublin
Dublin is the first European capital to distribute its carbon-free mail. This is stated by the state postal service An Post, which now handles all letter and parcel deliveries in the Irish capital with electric vehicles. In this way, it is said that it has avoided emitting 450 tons of carbon dioxide.
10. Covid vaccine approved – flash of light in pandemic
The UK was the first country to approve Pfizer-Biontech’s covid-19 vaccine. Vaccination started both there, in the US and in the EU, before the end of the year. The Astra Zeneca vaccine has also received emergency approval in the UK. China and Russia have already started vaccination with domestically developed vaccines.
11. Spiky rhinos are getting more and more
Tip rhinos in Africa will continue to slowly increase over the next five years, predicts the nature conservation union IUCN. The animals are threatened by both the demand for horns and declining habitats and are rarely found outside parks and reserves. But IUCN believes that the development gives hope that protection measures can overcome the threat of poaching.
12. Free menstrual protection in Scotland
Today all women in Scotland can get free sanitary pads and tampons, which are the first to offer in the world. In places like leisure centers, pharmacies and some other places, menstrual sanitary pads can be collected for free. The decision has been motivated by the fact that no one should have to worry about how to get their next tampon or bandage.
13. Various developments in global climate work
Several countries that together account for 60 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions have vowed to become climate neutral within 30 to 40 years, including China, Japan, South Korea and even the United States, according to the president’s promises. starter Joe Biden. In addition, there has been a radical change in the financial sector, where more and more large investors are leaving the fossil fuel market.
Kaavan, left, extends his trunk and makes contact at the Kulen Prom Tep elephant reserve in Cambodia.
14. The loneliest elephant in the world is no longer alone
Kaavan, known as the loneliest elephant in the world, is no longer alone. Pakistan’s only Asian elephant has been moved from a ruined zoo in Islamabad to a new life on the Kulen Prom Tep reserve in Cambodia. There he will be released with three females.
15. Ebola is no longer an international health emergency
The Ebola outbreak, which has claimed more than 2,200 lives in eastern Congo-Kinshasa, has formally ended, according to the country’s authorities. It has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to announce that there is no longer an international health emergency for hemorrhagic disease.
