Elections are typically bad news for the environment. Think about it. Political parties stick plastic posters everywhere, hand out flyers, put up banners, give out keychains, and give out a whole bunch of other useless trinkets that eventually wind up in the trash. Wary of the environmental toll that elections bring about, the Indian state of Kerala issued an advisory this February, asking political parties to refrain from using single-use plastic materials in poll campaigning, prompting them to opt for eco-friendly options. In March, the Kerala high court even banned the use of flex and non-biodegradable materials during electioneering. Since then, wall graffiti and paper posters have become key alternatives in Kerala. The directive is expected to have brought down the use of plastic significantly this election season, making it the first “green election” we’ve ever seen in India. Can we make this happen for the upcoming 2020 US elections?
The Kerala state in India just conducted a plastic-free election season
More of Today's Solutions
From molten salt to liquid air: clean energy’s weird storage revolution
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM There’s something strange about where the clean energy transition has gotten stuck. Generating power from the sun and ...
Read MoreSoft decluttering: the low-pressure method for a tidier home
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM You know the feeling: you walk toward the hall closet with good intentions, reach for the handle, and ...
Read More5 expert-recommended ways to cope with holiday stress
Financial strain, social pressure, and countless to-dos make the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's the most stressful time of year, according to numerous ...
Read MoreOslo’s quiet revolution: how electric construction sites are changing the game
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine walking past a bustling construction site and hearing… almost nothing. In Oslo, that’s becoming the new normal. ...
Read More
