Here Are 10 Positive Facts From The Past Year
By: Anne Sigrid Frisk, IST, Tanzania
2025 was a whirlwind of events, everything from new presidents, wildfires, a new pope, and war around the world. Although much of the news online was sad and, honestly, sometimes a bit depressing, many positive things occurred in 2025. So, if you may have missed them, here are 10 POSITIVE facts and news from the year 2025.
10. Archaeologists discovered a new mummification method - Archaeologists discovered a 280-year-old Austrian corpse that had been stuffed with wood chips, fabric, twigs, and zinc chloride; a method never seen before.
9. Electric cars overtook petrol cars in sales - for the first time in history, over 50% of all cars sold globally were electric.
8. Seoul launched the world’s first AI-managed district - Traffic systems, utilities, and all emergency responses run purely through advanced algorithms
7. The world's tallest wooden skyscraper opened in Sweden - The 90-floor skyscraper is stronger than steel and drastically reduces carbon emissions.
6. Renewable energy overtook coal as the world's biggest source of electricity - Data from the global energy think tank Ember showed that, despite growing electricity demand, growth in solar and wind energy was so strong that it not only met the demand for extra electricity, but it also reduced use of gas and coal.
5. Archeologists discover a new ancient city in Peru - Named Penico, archaeologists believe the city to be about 3,500 years old. It was discovered 200km north of Lima, and it is believed to have been founded between 1800 and 1500 BC.
4. Largest marine protected area established - French Polynesia established a marine protected area that covers almost all of its waters
3. Species came back from the brink of extinction - In may a kingfisher native to Guam laid eggs outside for the first time in almost four decades, and this is not the only species that bounced back, cranes in Scotland made a ‘remarkable’ comeback having been hunted to extinction there, other developments include, the long-lost sailback houndshark, and the chinook salmon.
2. Scientists treat the ‘untreatable’- Extreme medical developments happened in 2025. In July, new gene therapy treatments helped people born with genetic hearing loss recover some of their hearing, and in October, it was revealed that thanks to a new eye implant, blind people were able to read again
1. Ocean treaty called ‘a landmark victory’ for high seas - A total of 79 nations have signed the Global Ocean Treaty (60 were required for it to become a law). The treaty will go into effect this year, giving governments a legal framework to protect waters that lie outside of national boundaries.
