Philadelphia will dim its lights to help save migrating birds
Most migratory birds in North America use the night sky to navigate their way between north and south every year. However, as they pass over big cities, they can get disoriented by bright artificial lights and skyglow, often causing them to collide with buildings or other outdoor structures. This Read More...
Time outdoors boosted teens’ mental health during the pandemic
New research from North Carolina State University has been published, adding to the mountain of evidence that time spent outdoors is beneficial for both physical and mental health, especially during stressful situations like a global pandemic. To look at the impact time outdoors had on Read More...
Santa Catalina Island is using “underwater Roombas” to clean up toxic waste
Residents and vacationers who frequent Santa Catalina Island were shocked to learn from a recent Los Angeles Times investigation that their shores were contaminated with poison from the nation’s largest DDT manufacturer who had dumped barrels of the chemical along the coast for almost 40 years. Read More...
Indulge guilt-free with these 5 ethical and eco-friendly chocolate brands
We are big fans of chocolate here at The Optimist Daily and have written extensively in the past about its many health benefits, from keeping you mentally sharp to lowering your risk of heart failure. But if we are going to indulge in this delicious treat, it’s important to be aware of how Read More...
NASA is building quiet plane wings to reduce noise pollution at airports
When we think of aircraft noise pollution, the first thing that likely comes to mind is the roar and whine of jet engines that propel the large vehicle through the sky. However, an airplane’s fuselage and wings are also to blame. This is called aerodynamic noise and is the result of the airflow Read More...
This skyscraper in Taipei features a carbon-absorbing vertical forest
According to the World Green Building Council, our built environment is responsible for almost 40 percent of the world’s carbon footprint. Facing a dire need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, architects and urban planners must ensure that our future buildings have the smallest negative Read More...
Chicago suburb slated to implement the country’s first reparations program
The concept of reparations has gained traction in recent years as a starting point for compensating for the racism and discrimination Black Americans have historically experienced and continue to face in society. Now, one Chicago suburb is on the verge of becoming the first in the country to pilot Read More...
LEGO is ditching plastic bags to reach its sustainability goals
LEGO has been a building block of many happy childhood memories since the 1930s, but as the world reforms its views on sustainability and works toward a more eco-friendly future, LEGO is shifting its operations to meet new environmental expectations. LEGO’s signature building blocks rely on Read More...
The Backyard Bistro: A safe and sexy replacement for date night
Masks, hand sanitizer, sweatpants, and social distancing practices don’t really inspire romance, making the last year one of the least sexy in modern history. The pandemic has made pursuing new connections almost impossible, and for those who were in relationships, safety measures and shutdowns Read More...
Revitalize your garden this spring with companion planting
As noted in our spring solutions View from last weekend, the new season is upon us and it’s time to get planting! Each spring is an opportunity to refresh and expand your home garden and this year, we’re encouraging you to improve your space with companion planting. This technique uses Read More...