Nyheder – Global

World powering up: The number of people worldwide without access to electricity decreased last year from 1000 million to 860 million. Most of the progress happened in India.

More tolerance of LGBT: The world has generally become significantly more tolerant of sexual minorities over the last decade, according to a survey conducted in 167 countries.

More safe places to step: Since 2014, the countries of the world have cleared around 800 square kilometres of landmines.

World coal use decreasing rapidly: The total use of coal to generate electricity is set to decrease by 3 percent this year. This amounts to the total coal use by Germany, UK, and Spain combined.

Insulin prices to come down: The World Health Organization will now test and approve generic versions of insulin. The aim is to make insulin affordable to diabetics in developing countries.

Wind power costs slashed: The cost of wind power has been halved since 2010. During the same period, the cost of solar power has decreased by 85%.

Bank account boom: Since 2011, 1.2 billion more people have managed to open a bank account. This helps them save up money for opportunities and to resist shocks.

Child marriages prevented: 25 million child marriages have been prevented in the past 10 years, thanks to better education and political focus.

More children grow up healthy: Since 1990, the number of children suffering from stunting has decreased from 253 million to 149 million.

Far fewer die from AIDS: Since 2010, the number of aids deaths in the world have decreased by a third. Better access to medicine plays a big part.

Millions of new teachers: Since 2011, the World Bank International Development Association (IDA) has helped train 8.5 million new teachers and trainers in developing countries.

Countries to stop plastic exports: Most nations have now agreed to stop exporting plastic waste to other countries, especially in Asia, where it often ends up in nature.

Fewer child grooms: A new report shows that child marriage not only impacts girls, but many boys as well. However, fewer children of both genders now get married than previously.

Millions turn on the light: Since 2016, an additional 160 million people worldwide have gained access to electricity. However, about 840 million are still left in the dark.

Industry agrees to stop trans fat: A group of 12 big producers of food and snacks has agreed to follow WHO recommendations to eliminate the use of deadly trans-fat in food products by 2023.

Blind kids read LEGO: A new kind of LEGO bricks help blind children learn the Braille system of reading by touching. Each brick has a number of knobs that represent letters.

More countries try to quit smoking: Nearly two thirds of the world’s population now live in countries that restrict tobacco use, for example by banning the sale of cigarettes to children.

Growing organic production: The area of land used for organic farming worldwide has increased five-fold since 1999. However, organic farming still only accounts for 1.4% of total farmland.

Giant leap for wind turbines: A modern offshore wind turbine now produces 30 times more power than the first versions did 18 years ago.

Gold without toxic mercury: A new collaboration between countries and organisations will try to stop mercury pollution from small-scale illegal gold mines in developing countries.