All Points of Progress
Progress WatchIn Rwanda, agricultural reforms boost food security and slash povertyIn the nearly 25 years following its genocide, the East African nation has emerged as a leader in the Green Revolution that is lifting millions of people out of poverty by聽providing聽farmers with resources and training and allowing women to inherit land.
Progress WatchHow humpback whales made a global comebackAs international whaling ramped up around the turn of the 20th century so did efforts by governments, activists, and the public to stop the practice. By 2016, more than half of the species' 14 population segments were no longer considered endangered.
Progress WatchWhy the happiest countries are not always the wealthiest onesFinland ranked No. 1 in the 2018 World Happiness Report for its citizens' healthy work-life balance and trust in its national systems. Increasingly, in almost every facet of society 鈥� from policymakers to businesses to schools 鈥� more people are looking to well-being as an indicator of progress.
Progress WatchMore lawmakers agree: feminine hygiene products should be free for prisonersThe lack of access to menstrual products for female inmates is being addressed across more US states. It's been a largely overlooked issue, advocates say, despite the fact that women are the fastest growing demographic of the prison population.
For more US parents, paid family leave becomes realityCalifornia led the way by being the first state to provide paid family leave for workers to care for sick family members or to bond with a new child. In January, the state expanded its benefits. The idea is gaining ground in the United States, showing a shift toward more compassionate workplace practices.聽
Progress WatchBehind death penalty鈥檚 sharp global decline, a shift in attitudes?When the United Nations was created in 1945, only eight countries had abolished capital punishment. Today, that number stands at more than 100. In nearly another 40 countries where the death penalty is still legal, the practice has been reduced.
Progress WatchOne way the US is working out its homeless problemAt a time when half a million people in America are homeless, an Albuquerque homeless work program has sparked more than 20 similar initiatives across the country.
Progress WatchHow the world made macro strides in curbing microbeadsBefore the United States' decision to ban the tiny plastic exfoliants found in cosmetics and face washes, an estimated 3 trillion microbeads found their way into American waterways and other habitats each year. Britain, Canada, and New Zealand have since passed similar bans.
Progress WatchWhy the number of new jobs for people with disabilities grew fourfoldChanges in legislation, leadership, media portrayals of people with disabilities, and jobs growth were key to an employment spike for America's聽largest minority group.
As more Texans 'Give a Whoop,' hope for saving iconic cranes 鈥� and coastConservationists hope that the iconic birds can encourage a rare, ecologically-friendly approach to coastal development in a time of mounting human and environmental pressure on coastlines around the world.
Progress WatchAs flooding frequency increases, more US cities opt for green infrastructureUS cities situated next to large bodies of water, including Boston, Houston, and Milwaukee, are making plans to build water-absorbent green spaces that also serve as recreational spots 鈥� instead of installing more industrial concrete walls 鈥� to stem rising floodwaters.聽
Progress WatchHousing as health care: How connecting the two is saving Los Angeles moneyA recent RAND Corp. study found the Los Angeles county initiative, Housing For Health, which integrates permanent housing with health care for聽homeless people, has saved tax-payer dollars and caused participants' inpatient days to plummet.
Progress WatchAfter centuries of cultural theft, why more nations are returning looted artifactsThanks to increased awareness of past cultural injustices and renewed respect for national sovereignty, many nations housing stolen art and other items聽are giving them back.
Hong Kong鈥檚 ivory ban sparks fresh hope for endangered elephantsAlong with China's ban last year, the Hong Kong government's decision to outlaw the sale of ivory has conservationists hopeful it will bring down the rate at which elephants are being poached in Africa.聽
Whose nature? Colorado leads push to democratize the outdoors.In one of the largest-scale initiatives to combat the 'nature deficit,' Colorado is investing millions of dollars to connect low-income and minority children to nature.
Progress WatchGlobally, gas car phaseout gains momentumEurope and Asia lead push to replace traditional cars with electric and hybrid ones amid climate and pollution concerns.
Investing for social impact: new signs of promiseSome bond investors aim to earn a return by putting money toward achieving a social good, such as lower recidivism rates. In the process they're upping the ante for governments to better measure progress聽鈥� not just how many people a program serves.
Progress WatchMexico鈥檚 economic reforms take holdMany of Mexico's small businesses don't pay taxes 鈥� or worker benefits, but more workers are stepping into formal jobs with steady paychecks indicating growth in the economy overall.
Progress WatchLearning to defuse IslamophobiaA poster campaign in Boston bus shelters aims to teach the art of de-escalation in the face of anti-Muslim confrontations.
Progress WatchGlobal river cleanups growHow communities from Portland, Ore., to Paris are cleaning and playing in their waterways.
