Generation Z: Hasta Manana 2021!

Written by Ashley Carr 

Like 2020, 2021 was a testing year for us all. The effects of Coronavirus and a damaged economy mean that this year will be remembered for mostly the wrong reasons. But was there anything good to come out of this year? Indeed, there was. In this article, Grow readers, I will share some of these things, and provide some much-needed positivity as we end 2021. 

Malaria was observed for the first time 131 years ago in an Algerian military hospital. In 2021 we finally produced a vaccination for this abhorrent disease that killed 409,000 people in 2019. While there is still a long way to go to fully eradicate malaria, this year saw a giant leap towards that goal. 

The Glasgow Climate Pact was signed last month during COP26. Important outcomes include 140 countries pledging to reach zero emissions, more than 100 countries (including Brazil) pledging to reverse deforestation by 2030 and India pledging to draw half its energy requirement from renewable sources by 2030. Climate Action Tracker has stated that if all pledges are met, global temperatures will rise by a manageable amount and a climate crisis will be averted. 

The U.K. jobs market is in full recovery. The number of workers on payroll is significantly above pre-pandemic levels, and unemployment is on its way down. Despite the worry that the end of the furlough scheme would make an impact on this recovery, this has not been the case, with no upturn in redundancies.  

Slowly but surely, we are creeping towards the end of this horrific pandemic. Thanks to our excellent vaccination rates, and despite cases still being fairly high, we are still able to enjoy our freedom. One only has to look at the rest of Europe for what difficulties we could be facing right now. 

Although I have not been fortunate enough to see or hold one(!), the first £50 notes featuring Alan Turing entered circulation. A very fitting tribute to man who made a significant contribution to the Allies winning the war, and who was subsequently treated terribly by his own government purely because of his sexuality. 

So, there we have it Grow readers, 2021 is ending. Although it may not go down as one to remember, I hope I have provided you with a final wave of positivity as we enter 2022. Happy New Year!