civilization - where I live - slowly getting better - measure in lifetimes.
Now that I am over a half-century in age, I think back to what has changed during my own lifetime, where I live.
I compare some things to today vs when I was in elementary school.
Many things are better now.
But things change slowly, overall.
Personal examples.
Air pollution in the 626. Today vs the early 1970s.
There used to be lead in automotive fuel. That meant lead was going into the air people breathe. The engines were fed air and fuel by carburetors. In the 626 (the 818 back then), they use to have SMOG Alerts based on how bad the air pollution was.
SMOG Alerts had three stages. Stage 1 - take it easy, reduced activity advised. Stage 2 - couldn't play during recess. Air was noticeably brown. Stage 3 - actually happened a few times. Couldn't even go out recess. Sky was rusty dark brown. Would have lung discomfort if tried to take a deep breath.
Then things started to get better. Vehicles started to become equipped with catalytic converters and be run with unleaded fuel. The unleaded fuel meant no more lead being pumped into the atmosphere from vehicles that used it. The catalytic converters meant the air pollution from cars that used them, was reduced.
Then over time computer controlled fuel injection mostly replaced carburetors for fuel management in vehicles equipped with catalytic converters. Air pollution further reduced.
Now, in 2023, in the Los Angeles County area, I cannot remember the last time a SMOG Alert was declared. The sky rarely has visible SMOG or brown haze.
PV Solar Power, Electric cars in the 626. Today vs the early 1970s.
I do not remember seeing any electric cars or solar panels on homes or businesses when I was a child, in my city, in the 1970s.
In the last 10yrs or so, started to see an EV now-and-then. Was a rare thing, and cause for exclaim. Like seeing a unicorn. Same for PV on a roof in my city. The 1st time I saw a local house/business with them, wow.
Now, in 2023, I believe I can take an exercise walk in my neighborhood, and easily see 10+ houses with PV on their roofs. I will also easily see 10+ cars in driveways that are EVs, too. PV on roof and EVs are no longer a rare spectacle. They are "oh, cool." No longer unicorn rare. Still a small fraction of cars, but a non-trivial fraction of, perhaps 3% to 5% of cars I see? At any major red light on a busy street, I can now expect one of those cars to be an EV.
Also now, in 2023, every public school that my children have attended in my city, has a large PV solar array, or many sets of large solar arrays, helping to power the school.