This Japanese mending technique turns old clothes into art you can wear
These days, the way you dress can be a stark environment statement. In response to the ubiquity of fast fashion and a growing consciousness about the ‘true cost’ of the garment industry, people are beginning to come up with fashionable, innovative ways to rebel against today’s consumerist Read More...
How gender quotas could lead to more land conservation
The key to boosting environmental conservation around the world could be gender quotas. While it seems like an unlikely tool to inspire more conservation, a new study conducted in three developing countries showed that when more women are involved in group decisions about land management, the group Read More...
Researchers develop nifty device that can use waste CO2 to purify wastewater
Access to clean water is something that many of us take for granted, but it's a serious problem across much of the world. Now researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra have tested a new method for sterilizing water using hot bubbles of carbon dioxide, which they've found to Read More...
The inspiring story behind Peter Tabichi, the world’s best teacher of 2019
We could all learn a thing or two about generosity from Peter Tabichi, a math and physics teacher at a secondary in a remote part of Kenya’s Rift Valley. Tabichi gives away 80 percent of his income to help the poorest students at the poorly-equipped and overcrowded school who could otherwise not Read More...
Meet the fired Kentucky coal miners who are picking up a new trade
Like the top story in today’s edition of the Optimist Daily already points out, coal is losing in the battle to remain a relevant energy source as renewables such as wind and solar have become cheaper. Still, while it’s good news for the planet that we’re lessening our dependence on coal Read More...
New study finds solar or wind energy is cheaper than coal in most of America
According to a major new study, the clock is running out for coal energy. Around three-quarters of US coal production is now more expensive than solar and wind energy in providing electricity to American households. The study’s authors used public financial filings and data from the Energy Read More...
Gut health is vital to your well being. Here's how to give it a boost
In recent years, scientists have discovered that the microbiome—informally known as the gut—is key to helping our bodies maintain homeostasis and overall well-being. But what exactly is the microbiome and why is it important? The microbiome is the makeup of bacteria and other microorganisms in Read More...
Green groups expand protection over one of the most biodiverse places on Earth
Magdalena Valley, a low land rainforest in Central Colombia and one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, is home to some of the world’s rarest animal species that are under serious threat because of intense deforestation and illicit farming in the area. Luckily, after years of negotiations, Read More...
How diversifying the foods we will eat is a must if we want to spare the planet
Why would a wildlife conservation organization be involved in a campaign to push people to diversify their diets? As it turns out, the way we humans eat is very much linked to preserving wildlife — and many other issues. This was the topic at a recent conference in Paris where the World Wildlife Read More...
Federal judge halts drilling in large swath of Wyoming, citing climate change
The fossil fuel industry took a blow last week when a federal judge ordered a halt to oil and gas exploration on almost 500 square miles in Wyoming, stating that the US government must account for its cumulative effect on global climate change. The order marks the latest in a string of court Read More...