The year 2020 has been significant in so many ways. Although it’s fun to joke and meme about the straight-up absurdity of it all, the fact is that there is a ton of positive news for us to share. Don’t forget to check out part 1 here. 

Health

Let’s take a look at some positive health news for 2020:

• The second-largest Ebola outbreak in the world – which plagued the Congo for nearly two years – ended in late June.

• Honey was found to be extremely effective for treating coughs and colds, potentially limiting the demand for antibiotic prescriptions. 

• A potential cure for HIV provided by American Gene Technologies (AGT) has received approval for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin human testing.

• Meditation was found to lower the risk of severe health conditions, including cardiovascular disease.

• Scientists discovered a compound found in sea sponges that can stop cellular duplication of cancerous tumors.

• Robotic pets are reducing loneliness in older adults by up to 70%. 

• Researchers at the University of Minnesota have managed to 3D print a human heart pump that beats on its own. 

Community

Our communities have been busy! Here’s some positive news in 2020 for Community.

• Contributions to free food programs across the U.S. have increased by 667%. 

• Free community refrigerators are being set up by several businesses, organizations, and individuals around the country and the world.

• The Esselen Tribe of Northern California regained their ancestral land in Big Sur after hundreds of years of being landless. 

• Google’s parent company Alphabet launched a Ballon-Powered internet service in Kenya, bringing WiFi to thousands of rural Africans. 

• The world’s first Kindness festival and Happiness museum are opening their doors this year.

Positive News For The Planet

We all live here (I hope), let’s all celebrate the following positive news for the planet.

• 85% of Americans have reportedly made at least one positive lifestyle change in the past year – i.e. turning off electronics or not wasting food – to be more environmentally conscious.

• Researchers in Australia have figured out a way to grow colored cotton, eliminating the need to use potentially toxic chemical dyes. 

• Major corporations including Apple and Microsoft have announced aggressive action against climate change. 

• Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act which will reserve over $9.5 billion for National Parks and conservation efforts. 

• 20 Mexican Wolf pups born in captivity were reintroduced to the wild across the Southwest US.

• The world’s largest whiskey producer announced a new plastic-free bottle.

• Roadways are being created from old plastic bottles in a new form of construction. Companies have figured out a way to create roadways using old plastic bottles. 

• Several animal species including elephants, tigers, and wolverines have seen significant population growth.