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42 Good Things That Happened in 2020

The year 2020 was unprecedented and challenging for people of all ages around the world. Humanity was confronted by a pandemic that altered the way we live in unimaginable ways. But despite the struggles of 2020, good things that happened can be found if we take a step back and look for them. This collection of good news from 2020, compiled by the team at AAAStateofPlay, is not meant to minimize the tragic toll that COVID-19 has taken but rather to celebrate how humankind has adapted and thrived through the darkness. We hope you enjoy this roundup of kindness, resilience, discovery, and progress during such a difficult year.

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42 Good Things That Happened in 2020 - AAAStateofPlay.com - Infographic

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  1. The COVID-19 vaccines were developed faster than any other vaccines in history.
  2. A survey of 2,000 Americans found that people spent far more time enjoying outdoor recreation.
  3. Polio has been officially eliminated in Africa.
  4. The total number of donations to charity increased by 7.2% from 2019 to 2020.
  5. Water has been discovered on the moon.
  6. Home gardening bloomed in popularity.
  7. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to scientists who discovered the CRISPR gene-editing technology.
  8. Forty-eight bird and mammal species have been saved from extinction.
  9. An enormous coral reef taller than the Empire State Building was discovered.
  10. Advances in telemedicine made medical care more accessible.
  11. The first blood test for Alzheimer’s disease has been cleared for widespread use.
  12. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was the first approved vaccine to use mRNA technology.
  13. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon delivered astronauts to the International Space Station.
  14. DeepMind’s AI program AlphaFold can now determine the 3D shapes of proteins.
  15. The UK committed to net zero emissions by 2050.
  16. No-kill, lab-grown meat began hitting the markets.
  17. College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving offered free moves for those fleeing abusive homes in the U.S. and Canada.
  18. AuREUS System Technology won the first James Dyson Award for Sustainability.
  19. ITER, a giant nuclear fusion reactor that could provide unlimited clean energy, launched in France.
  20. Ocean Voyages Institute set a record for the largest single haul of plastic removed from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
  21. French startup Carbios discovered an enzyme that can recycle plastic.
  22. Tech startup Air Company found a way to create carbon-negative rocket fuel.
  23. A California highway became the first made from recycled plastic in the U.S.
  24. John Krasinski’s Some Good News YouTube show went viral, spreading much-needed cheer.
  25. The University of York invented solar panels that absorb 125% more light.
  26. A veteran walked 100 laps around his garden for his 100th birthday to raise money for the NHS.
  27. The 116th Congress became the most diverse in history.
  28. South Korean Bong Joon Ho won the Oscar for Best Director for Parasite.
  29. Finland gave equal parental leave to all parents.
  30. Dogs trained to protect wildlife have saved the lives of 45 rhinos from poachers in South Africa.
  31. Crayola launched new inclusive skin-tone crayons.
  32. LGBTQ employees were deemed to be protected by civil rights employment statutes.
  33. Drools the dog was found his forever home after waiting in a Colorado shelter for 729 days.
  34. Animal shelters were emptier than ever.
  35. Scotland became the first country to make menstrual products free.
  36. The 2020 election had the highest voter participation in 120 years.
  37. NASA had major successes in space exploration.
  38. The elephant population doubled in Kenya.
  39. Deaths caused by terrorism fell for the fifth consecutive year.
  40. Ten percent of all cars sold in 2020 were electric.
  41. Fourteen countries owning 40% of the world’s shorelines formed the Ocean Panel to end overfishing, restore habitats, and reduce plastic pollution.
  42. People united over the Tiger King Netflix documentary.

Find more about the author: Kim Hart



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