Good News for the Earth

This week’s Sunday Saying is in honor of Earth Day, with some statistics focusing on the good news for our planet and our health. These facts are from economic futurist Jeff Thredgold in his weekly TEALeaf economic e-newsletter:

Between 1980 and 2007, total emissions of major air pollutants within the U.S. dropped by 52%

The number of people who have quit smoking (46 million) now exceeds the number who still smoke (45 million).  Roughly 21% of adults smoke today, versus nearly half in the early 1950s

The number of new cancer cases and deaths are falling for the first time since the government began compiling a report on long-term trends

Average U.S. life expectancy has reached 78 years (men 75, women 80), the highest ever.  This compares to 76 years in 1995, 68 years in 1950, and 47 years in 1900

Roughly 30% of trash was recycled or composted in the latest year, versus 16% in 1990

The number of people using public transportation hit a 52-year high during 2008

During the early 1960s, the five-year survival rate from cancer for Americans was one in three. Today it is two in three…continuing to climb…and the highest in the world

Air pollution declined 25% over the past 30 years even as the population and the economy grew.  Water quality also continues to improve.  More progress will occur in coming years as companies see rising value in “going green”

This week’s Sunday Saying is in honor of Earth Day, with some statistics focusing on the good news for our planet and our health. These facts are from economic futurist Jeff Thredgold in his weekly TEALeaf economic e-newsletter:

Read more good news from Jeff at his website: Thredgold.com

Image source: sxc.hu