- Huh? It's like we're the same person. Everyday when we turn on
the news or social media, it seems like the world is falling apart. And not only can that feel overwhelming, but it can shape our
perception of the world. But the truth is actually
much brighter than that. So today in collaboration
with Bill and Melinda Gates, and in the spirit of
the Gates Annual Letter, I want to give you ten things, that are improving in our world, that's making it a great place to be. And why it's a great time to be alive. Get ready for some smiles. Here are ten facts that
will make you happy. (mandolin playing softly) Number 10 is safer workplaces. While many countries are
celebrating a decrease in unemployment numbers, others are proudly revealing just how safe their employees are staying. Incredibly, the annual
number of work place injuries has never been lower than it was in 2017. To give you some context. Back in the 1970s, nearly 14 thousand
workers lost their lives, in the United States every year. But these days that number
is less than 5 thousand. Nearly two thirds less. Of course we'd all love
that number to be zero, but this is progress. And it shows that things
are getting better in the workplace. Accidents have decreased, not just in the United
States but globally, thanks to improvements
in safety equipment, regulations and employers, making sure that their employees receive, the proper training. So that means you and
your family are way safer these days in the workplace. That's something to smile about. Number nine is energy consumption. Research done between 2016 and 2017 revealed that the amount of
energy being used by the worlds population is actually on the decline. This is thanks in part
to the many programs that a number of countries are using that reward energy efficiency. With savings on utility bills and overall awareness. Tim, you turn off the light. It's good for the world. Not only is energy being used less, but it's also coming from greener sources. The amount of coal being
used as a fuel source to create power is falling
at surprising rate. And never before has
humanity received more power, from solar and wind sources. Now granted we wouldn't
be able to survive on just that alone, but the fact that today over 22% of that electricity comes from cleaner renewable resources, including hydro sourced power, is a really good sign. At this rate Santa's gonna start leaving energy efficient light
bulbs in bad kids stockings, instead of coal. Ho, Ho, Ho, be energy efficient. Number eight is education. It's going to make you happy to know that the whole world is actually getting more and more intelligent. Youth literacy has
reached an all time high. See back in the 1960s, nearly 25% of youth between
the ages of 15 and 24, were actually illiterate. Unable to read or write. However, a study
conducted in 2016 revealed that today that number is less than 10%. Look at all of ya'll reading
just making me proud. Internet access being
more available in schools than ever before has
helped shape that fact. As of 2017 students are on average, spending more years learning in school than previous years. In fact over the last century, average IQs have risen
more than 24 points. So on average every generation of children is smarter than all of
those that came before. Oh, that's why I have such a big head. Fit the big brain. I'm becoming mega mind. Ha Ha. Number seven is climate change. Climate change has been a
hot topic for sometime now. And with the amount of news stories and awareness campaigns
going on out there, it seems like a fight the Earth is losing. However, fortunately that's not the case. There is mounting evidence that the changes that
governments, corporations and individual people
like you and I are making to protect the planet are
actually making a difference. Never before have world
leaders taken on such an issue as global warming
with a more united front. From promises to cut
emissions country wide, to simply going paperless with bills, everyone is making a difference, and it's staring to show. A study by NASA published
on January 4, 2018, showed that for the first time, chlorine levels are declining. Meaning that there's less ozone depletion. Yes, yes, well done everybody! Everybody gets more ozone. You get more ozone. You get more ozone. Everybody gets more ozone! Number six is poverty declining. The number of people surviving
on less than a dollar has never been lower. In the year 2000, the first millennium
development goal was set by 189 United Nations members states, targeting the amount of people living in extreme poverty and hunger. At the time nearly 43%
of the Earths population fit into that statistic
which was terrifying. Seriously imagine living
on less than a dollar. You can't even buy a
coffee in LA for that. The objective was to
cut the number in half, by the year 2015. But incredibly the task succeeded an impressive five years early. Officially reaching
the completion in 2010. What that means is that there are now around 700 million people who are saved from going hungry. And that mission continues today. With new goals being set
to end extreme poverty, by the year 2030 and
eventually the eradication of poverty and hunger
in all of their forms, as soon as possible. We are on our way. And talking about coffee, made me want a coffee, excuse me, I'll be right back. Number five is life expectancy. Everyone hopefully wants
to live long healthy lives. And in the last few years, They're getting to experience
more and more of that dream. Life expectancy might have
tiny dips now and then, but for the most part, over the last few decades, it's been on the rise. People born today are expected to live on average nearly ten years longer, than those born in the 1960s. And that wasn't even that long ago. Life expectancy in 2017
is 79 years for males and 81 years for females. And additionally in the last 25 years, the rate of babies losing
their lives before their fifth birthday has dropped nearly 50%. This incredible fact can be attributed to the amazing advancements
I preventative medicines, sanitation, the fight against poverty, and even the decrease in how many mothers smoke while pregnant. So let's give it up for all the wonderful mothers out there. Ladies you're looking strong. Number four is sanitation. Okay, toilet humor aside, everyone deserves to have access to sustainable waste
treatment or disposal, and clean drinking water. In fact, For almost everyone
their lives depend on it. Thankfully the number of
individuals who can access improved sanitation
facilities across the planet, has been skyrocketing. Never before have so many
people been able to drink water without being infected
with various diseases. Or go to the bathroom
without spreading them. You might not know this, but human waste being mismanaged has been linked to the transmission of polio, dysentery, cholera, diarrhea and many other conditions. And it's connected to over 280
thousand deaths every year. And these improvements
have the additional affect of allowing the washing of hands. Which anyone requiring a
doctor or surgeon will be very, very grateful for. So remember wash your hands folks! Especially the people
coming out of the bathroom. We're watching you. We're judging you. Number three are diseases being fought. For too long a disease
called the polio virus, has taken the lives of
people who are unable to acquire the vaccination
required to prevent it. But by the end of 2017, the virus was only found in
the countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. In case you didn't know, this is incredible news. This means that the fight against polio, is on the verge of victory, which will bring about the end of it. Known as infantile paralysis. It's a contagious disease, that can spread to the spinal cord and cause paralysis and even death. In the early 80s hundreds of thousands of cases were diagnosed each year. But in 2016 only 37 new
cases were reported. Thanks to the World Health Organization, and various charities, a virus that has caused
so much death and pain in Earths past is close
to being eradicated. So go get your vaccinations folks. Because a little prick
now is gonna prevent you from getting polio. Kinda worth it. Number two are women's rights. Though we haven't quite
achieved the equality everyone on the planet deserves, we've never been closer to it. The number of women who are working in the labor industry, has never been larger than it is today. Some great examples
are that Egypt declared in 2017 that women have equal rights in reformed inheritance laws. And Saudi Arabia lifted
the ban on females driving. In the last 20 years
the percentage of women in parliament more than doubled. Hitting 23.5 percent in October of 2017. And additionally the fight
against sexual harassment and assault has never been stronger. With thousands of people coming forward in a movement that is
drawn more attention to it than ever before. Lebanon and Jordan, both repealed laws which said rapists were exonerated if they married their victims. So in other words the
progress is really good. And it leaves us with hope for more. And number one are
cancer rates are falling. Between 1960 and 1988 the
rate of cancer related deaths, was at a steep incline
with about 335 people out of every 500 thousand on the planet, losing the fight in their later years. Then in the 90s it hung
around at a high point. But I'm happy to inform you that over the last 20 years, that number has plummeted. According to research, cancer related deaths have
fallen a whopping 25%. This means that around 2.1
million lives have been spared over that time. This is due largely in part to
the advancements in not only treatment, but detection as well. Awareness has never been higher. Which means that people are
getting checked more often. And funding is given more
every year to research. We don't have a cure yet, But we are definitely making a difference, and that will only continue from here. So those were 10 facts to make you happy. And I really hope they
put a smile on your face. This video was made possible by partnering with Bill and Melinda Gates. Yes, that Bill Gates. I'm feeling very lucky right now. Hash tag blessed. Every single year they
release their annual letter, outlining the great accomplishments that humankind has made over the year. So if you want another
big reason to smile, with additional positive
facts about our world, go to Gates Letter dot come, to read more about why Bill and Melinda, are so optimistic about the
future in their annual letters. Seriously, go check it out
if you want some more smiles. Cause there's some incredible
stuff in that letter, And one final thank you
to Bill and Melinda Gates. They were really fun to work with. And that's it. I will see you guys in
the next video, bye.
