All Points of Progress
New York shootings hit all-time lows: Lessons for other US cities?In 2016, the NYPD reported 998 shootings 鈥� the fewest since the city started tracking them. New York's sustained drop in crime stands in contrast to other US cities, and its policing innovations could offer solutions.
How natural gas and nuclear have made the US greener 鈥� times twoA new study by Brookings found increases in natural gas and nuclear energy for electricity generation have allowed parts of the US to 'decouple,' with states reducing their carbon dioxide emissions but seeing their economies grow.聽
Record number of corporations earn perfect score for LGBT-friendly policies517 companies earned a perfect score in the 2017 Human Rights Campaign聽Corporate Equality Index, marking a record high for the annual list.聽
Mexico jumps on the 'big reserve' trend of ocean conservationOn Monday,聽Mexico established 160 million acres in biological reserves, surpassing UN targets three years early.
Elusive fishers return to Pacific NorthwestThe rare weasel species is making a comeback in Washington state, thanks to the coordinated conservation efforts of government and tribal groups.
How Germany is turning the refugee crisis into a boost for small businessesBy letting refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and elsewhere into its work training programs, Germany can help its shorthanded enterprises 鈥� and enable the new workers to get on with their lives in a sustainable way.
US homelessness declines: What's working?More communities are focusing on providing their chronic homeless populations permanent, supportive residences. Experts say that's the path to take to in order to put a roof over every citizen's head.
Why can't renewable jet fuels take off?Alaska Airlines on Monday fueled one of its commercial flights from Seattle to Washington, D.C., partly with jet fuel made of wood scraps. The widespread use of renewable fuel in the airline industry faces significant obstacles, however.聽
Is the cash bail system rigged against the poor? Reform movement swells.Officials in San Francisco have backed a lawsuit against their own city that claims its cash bail system is discriminatory. As the bail reform movement grows, advocates are seeking to eradicate the monetary system entirely.聽
Will Argentina's 'Not one less' protests make change in Latin America?After 16-year-old Lucia Perez was killed in Argentina early this month, anti-violence advocates took to the streets on Wednesday to protest violence against women.聽
HFC greenhouse gas agreement adopted by nearly 200 nationsThe historic Kigali agreement provides an international plan that phases out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), gases used in air conditioners and refrigerators, which contribute to global warming.
Swim with dolphins? Travel companies shift away from wild animal attractionsWhy TripAdvisor, one of the world's largest online travel agencies, will no longer sell tickets to attractions that invite tourists to interact with wild animals. Will this help or hurt conservation efforts?聽
In African nations, will growing female political muscle drive change?When it comes to gender parity in legislatures, Africa as a region has more than doubled the percentage of women in the past 20 years, to about one quarter.聽
Why coal-dependent Poland signed the Paris climate agreementCould Poland, whose reliance on coal had previously threatened the deal, lead the way for less-developed nations to curb emissions?聽
Is California's new law a model for curbing prosecutorial misconduct?Prosecutors in California who intentionally withhold or tamper with evidence may now face felony charges as a result of a new law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last week.聽
How the Endangered Species Act sets species on paths to recoveryPlans set in motion decades ago to save US species are seeing results, with more delistings from the 1973 Endangered Species Act under the Obama administration than under all previous administrations since the act's inauguration.聽
Why tech giants are forming an AI coalitionAmazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and IBM have partnered to counter fears about AI and develop industry-wide ethics for the emerging technology.聽
From Estonia, lessons for the Age of CyberwarAttackers crippled Estonia's digital聽networks聽in 2007. Since then, it has shored up cyberdefenses while expanding connectivity聽to every corner of daily聽life.
At last, hope that US economy has turned a cornerNew Census data show that household incomes for middle- and low-wage Americans surged in 2015, along with a steep decline in the poverty rate. It raises the prospect that the economy is starting to work for everyone.聽
Want preschoolers to succeed? Help their teachers.Connecticut offers free mental health services to all preschool programs that request them. As concerns grow about suspensions of young children, the approach greatly reduces troubling behaviors, a new study finds.