The pandemic did not miraculously go off. When the clock struck midnight and marked the beginning of 2021, Covid-19 still survived. We were forced to stare down another year of fear and turmoil. But the good news is: we did it! So, let us forget for a moment and take a look at all the good that had happened in 2021.
- MORE THAN 8.47 BILLION COVID-19 VACCINATIONS HAPPENED GLOBALLY!
Yay, in Dec 2020, the UK administered their first non-trial COVID-19 vaccination in the world to a 90-year old woman. Post this, a year later, approximately 9 billion COVID vaccinations happened around the world. It is the largest mass vaccination that happened in history! The speed and the intensity with which the life-saving vaccination got rolled out is beyond phenomenal.
- Scientists said that “Cheese” is not bad for you:
In February, when all memories of seasonal goodwill had faded away, scientists gave us another reason to be happy. With people considering that cheese is a murderous entity, one scientist revealed that “There is almost no evidence that cheese causes weight gain—and in fact, there is evidence that it is neutral at worst.” This stigma-shattering analysis helped us rebuild its reputation globally! Another reason to thank 2021 for is this!
- Mass resignation gave workers their lives back:
Spring and summer of 2021 saw a wave of mass resignations of employees across the globe who used the pandemic to reflect on their work-life balance. In April, 2.7 percent of the American workforce had quit their jobs, setting a new record.
- Drones were helpful in dealing with plastic pollution:
Throughout 2021, a UK-based startup Ellipsis Earth has been mapping the scale of the world’s plastic pollution with camera-equipped drones that we can identify the exact origin of the trash. These speedy surveys allowed our experts to find the solutions needed in different areas of garbage dumping. Right from pushing through dumping regulations at beaches to installing more bins in littering hotspots, drones were a savior.
- A human mind was wirelessly connected to a computer:
In March 2021, researchers at Brown university transmitted brain signals wirelessly to a computer for the first time. This great move is applauded for paralyzed people because the removal of the cumbersome wires was used for home instead of labs.
- China eliminated malaria: that is the news of the decade:
As June ended, WHO declared that China is free of malaria after decades of targeted action against malaria. In the 1940s, there were about 30 million malaria cases; in 2021 the country reported four consecutive years of zero indigenous cases. That is the only reason why WHO declared China malaria-free.
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- The banning of Donald Trump from Twitter:
It was big! Twitter banned not-president Donald Trump from the platform in January, after the “HOME ALONE 2” actor glorified the violence surrounding the storming of the US capitol by his supporters.
- NASA made oxygen on Mars:
The best thing that had happened in 2021 was NASA’S Perseverance Rover successfully converted some of Mars’s carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere into oxygen in April. It was indeed a great story for all of us!
- Virtual queues revolutionized waiting:
All thanks; to the inherently non-socially distanced nature of queues, malls, and theme parks decided to shake up the centuries-old habit by doing things virtually. By allowing us to reach places in the taps of our fingers, virtual queues have reduced the pain of waiting in line.
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- Uber Drivers Were Granted Workers Rights in the UK which was a big move:
It is one of the biggest landmark decisions made by the UK Supreme Court. The Uber driver workers’ rights were entrenched. The Uber drivers are workers and not self-employed opened the doors for minimum wage and holiday pay.
- Renewable Energy Had a Record Year:
Yes, when it comes to the climate crisis, the world needed good news. In December, the International Energy Agency (IEA) revealed that 2021 was renewable energy’s biggest year ever, which was again great news.
These were a few sunshine stories from 2021. You will also get to read more from Gayatri. So, here is the link to her blog:
I hope you have an excellent 2022! A happy New Year guys!
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