21 things to make the world a better place in 2021

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No epidemic Miraculously disappeared. When the clock strikes midnight and marks the beginning of 2021, Coronavirus disease Did not disappear like the fairy princess’ party dress, alas, we are all forced to stare at another year of fear. The good news is: we did it! The bad news is: Well, you know…we all know. So let us forget this for a moment and celebrate all the actual good things that will happen in 2021.

More than 8.47 billion Covid-19 vaccines have been vaccinated globally

In December 2020, the UK manages The first non-experimental Covid-19 vaccine A 90-year-old woman in the world wearing a charming leopard scarf. One year later, nearly 9 billion Covid jabs have been put into use worldwide, and this number is rising every second. This is the largest mass vaccination campaign in history! If you are lucky, you will get a cool sticker after shooting! The speed, intensity, and efficiency of the life-saving vaccines are an amazing phenomenon. It is estimated that only three months are left before 75% of the world’s population receive the first dose of the vaccine.read more Bloomberg.

Scientists find that cheese is not harmful to you (really!)

In February, when all the memories of seasonal goodwill and cheering disappeared, and we were left with the cold of the winter wind and ridiculous whispers, scientists gave us a reason to move on. A scientist told WIRED against unfounded rumors that cheese is an evil and cruel entity: “There is almost no evidence that cheese causes weight gain—in fact, there is evidence that it is in the worst case. It’s neutral.” This stigma-breaking analysis has helped Cheese rebuild its reputation on a global scale — it’s awesome.read more wired.

The great resignation gave the workers a new lease of life

If there is a greater happiness in the world than quitting smoking, it is that everyone in the world quit smoking at the same time. In the spring and summer of 2021, after employees around the world used the pandemic to reflect on work-life balance, there was a wave of resignations. (Hint: life should be more than work.) Only in April, 2.7% of the U.S. labor force resigns Their work set a new record, which was then broken again in August. Although employers may cry because of their “Can I hold you for a minute?” Email, employees are reiterating their rights.read more wired.

Drones help us deal with plastic pollution

A philosopher might ask, “Is it really good news to say that we have developed a small solution for a huge, terrible, terrible, terrible, persistent problem that we have created ourselves? Is it really worth celebrating? “We said: Please give us this, philosopher, this is what we have. Throughout 2021, the UK-based start-up Ellipsis Earth has been using camera-equipped drones to map the scale of the world’s plastic pollution. These drones can (sometimes) identify the exact source of waste. These quick surveys allow experts to better understand the solutions required in different areas, from implementing dumping regulations on the beach to installing more trash bins in hot spots where littering.read more CNN.

The human mind is wirelessly connected to the computer

In March 2021, Brown University researchers succeeded in transmitting brain signals wirelessly to a computer for the first time-a breakthrough for paralyzed people because the removal of bulky wires makes this technology closer to the home use. Brain-computer interface (BCI) has been used in the past to help people type, use robotic prostheses, and even move their own limbs, but for the first time, participants in these studies can use this technology at home instead of in a laboratory setting.read more Input amplitude.

China eliminates malaria

At the end of June, the World Health Organization declared that China was free of malaria after “decades of targeted and sustained action” against the disease. In the 1940s, China reported 30 million malaria cases every year; in 2020, the country reported zero local cases for four consecutive years, paving the way for WHO to declare it malaria-free in 2021. In April, WHO launched a campaign to eliminate malaria in 25 other countries by 2025.For more information, please visit New York Times.

Donald Trump is banned from Twitter

Over the past decade, we have repeatedly seen our digital hegemons refuse to protect us from harm, twist their policies to maximize their profits, and rarely consider the ways in which democracy may be irreparably damaged in the process. This is why when Twitter finally banned non-President Donald Trump from the platform in January, it was so relieved. Home Alone 2 The actor glorified the violence surrounding his supporters’ attack on the U.S. Capitol. The ban went into effect on January 8—that is, the first 12 days after Trump ceased to be president—and is permanent.read more BBC News.

Dutch “bee hotel” helps bee populations remain stable

More than 11,000 people consider bees as part of the National Bee Census in the Netherlands in 2021-their findings are encouraging because urban bee populations have remained stable over the past few years. It is believed that many initiatives—from hollowing out plant stems that act as “bee hotels” to banning the use of chemical herbicides—are helping bees thrive. Next stop: AirBeeNBees.read more protector.

Analyst-developed software revolutionized the fight against child sexual abuse

The Cambridgeshire Internet Watch Foundation team has a tireless job: They spend hours browsing and categorizing child sexual abuse images to help countries fight offenders. This year, the team rebuilt their hashing software so that the data shared with law enforcement agencies around the world is relevant to their region, which means they can prioritize the most serious images, delete and block content more easily, and violate the law Those who are brought to justice.read more wired.

NASA makes oxygen on Mars

If there is a year that aliens would say “Hi”, it would be 2021-this year we reached unprecedented heights, “Yes, we live in simulations.” In any case, the aliens did not say ” hiya” (at least not to me), but we got the next (or next to the next) best thing: NASA’s Perseverance Rover successfully converted some of the carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere of Mars into oxygen in April. As a huge leap for humans to land on Mars, NASA stated that this move “may pave the way for science fiction to become a scientific fact”, which is cool to say.read more NASA.

Virtual queues completely changed waiting

Due to the inherent non-social distancing characteristics of queuing, restaurants, entertainment venues and theme parks around the world have decided to start a virtual queuing revolution to change their habits for hundreds of years. By allowing us to queue with a few taps of our fingers instead of feet, virtual queues reduce the pain associated with waiting in line (waiting and waiting).read more wired.

The world’s first 3D printing school opened its 3D printing door

In less than 24 hours—15 hours to be precise—the affordable housing group 14Trees used 3D printing technology to build a school in Malawi in July this year. It is hoped that similar initiatives will help solve the shortage of classrooms in this country and other parts of Africa, enabling children to go to school at a shorter distance and work in better conditions. Women and children sang and danced in front of the new school to celebrate the beginning of school.read more Reuters.

A dying orchid was found on the roof of London

The biggest hide-and-seek game of all time ended in June, when a rare orchid was found on the roof of an investment bank in London, although scientists believe the plant has become extinct in the UK.Ecologist Mike Waller, author British orchids, Said: “This clearly proves that with patience and dedication, even the most unlikely places can become a haven for some of our rarest wild animals.” That’s good.read more protector.

Metropolis removed Sackler’s name from its gallery

Although it is unfortunately impossible to eliminate the opioid crisis in the United States overnight, leading galleries are at least helping to erase the names of the families that contributed to this crisis. In recent years, the Sackler family, the founders of Purdue Pharma, has faced increasing scrutiny due to their company’s role in the opioid epidemic. The famous museum that accepts the Sackler family’s donation is now keeping a distance from the family. Goodbye, I wish you out of trouble!read more New Yorker.

Argentine capybara regained its habitat with force

Choosing the ideal retaliation site for rodents, you might agree that gated communities can’t go wrong. In October, the capybara began to cultivate in an affluent community near Buenos Aires, where it was once their territory, chewing on manicured flower beds and neat lawns. This two-in-one act of class struggle and environmental radicalism is the heroic act of the world’s largest rodent.read more Smithsonian Magazine.

Uber drivers get workers’ rights in the UK

In February of this year, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom issued a landmark ruling confirming that the workers’ rights of Uber drivers have been consolidated and the gig economy is in trouble. The ruling that Uber drivers are workers rather than self-employed individuals opened the door to minimum wages and holiday wages. James Farrar, secretary-general of the App Drivers and Couriers Union, said: “This ruling will fundamentally rearrange the gig economy and end the widespread exploitation of workers through algorithms and contract deception.” Read more protector.

United Airlines’ first airliner using 100% sustainable fuel

In December, 100 passengers flying from Chicago to Washington, DC became the world’s first engine (delicious!) to run on 100% non-petroleum-based sustainable fuel made from sugar water and corn.It is said that this fuel burns 75% cleaner than petroleum-based fuels, although there are Some debates on greenwashing Around this event, this is still a crucial moment for the aviation industry.read more Business insider.

Oscar’s most diverse year ever

Speaking of celebrities, 2021 has already surpassed 2020 by default-no one tried Sing “Imagine“When we were locked at home. But progress was also made elsewhere, that is, at the Oscars, years of strong opposition and much-needed voter expansion eventually led to a diverse lineup of nominations, including the first to win Asian American nominated for Best Actor. When the ceremony was held (in person!) Chloé Zhao became the first woman of color to win the Best Director Award, and Yuh-jung Youn became the first South Korean to win an Oscar Actor. Read more type.

Electric vehicle sales surpass diesel for the first time in Europe

In August of this year, sales of electric vehicles in Europe surpassed diesel vehicles for the first time, and experts predict that there will be more sales of electric vehicles in the UK next year. It is believed that this surge is caused by falling prices, increased vehicle types, gasoline shortages, and an increase in the number of available charging points. Could this be the answer to the whole “climate change” question? No, it’s obvious. But, you know, maybe this is the beginning?read more New scientist.

This Once given Liberated from the Suez Canal

This is a sign of how serious things have become earlier this year. One of the most widely talked about and joking incidents was that a container ship was trapped in the Suez Canal for six days. I mean, how do you explain this to your future grandchildren? Nonetheless, we all have reason to celebrate the ship’s release in late March (or, in other words, when the meme finally ends).read more wired.

A record year for renewable energy

When it comes to the climate crisis, the world needs any good news it can get. In December last year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) revealed that 2021 was the largest year in the history of renewable energy, with approximately 290 gigawatts of renewable energy installed globally — that is, full of lovely wind turbines and solar power. Panels-raw materials despite the pandemic and rising costs.read more protector.


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