Things are better now than they were, in my opinion. Population overgrowth is still a problem and its effects are worse than before, but that was an inevitability based on trends that have occurred for generations now, not a real change.
People are more well informed about wars and evils around the world, and more action is being taken.
Environmental messages are more widespread, whereas before anyone who was pro-environmentalism was labeled an environmentalist - now it is just common sense; and this has resulted in a higher viability for environmentally friendly alternatives to environmentally damaging techs.
Meat/poultry eating as a rate is on the decline.
The battle of ideas seems much more intense and apparent now because there is actually a larger platform for it; not because hardliner conservatives are becoming any more idiotic; they get their way less now, they fuss a lot more now as a result.
-Insert Inspiring Quote-
“I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." 
