Portugal becomes fourth EU country to shut down all coal power plants
Back in 2016, Belgium made history by becoming the first EU country to break ties with coal. Last year, Austria and Sweden followed suit, as the world is increasingly pushing for the wide adoption of more sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar. Now, we’re happy to announce the good Read More...
These new power lines help drive the green energy transition forward
While renewables are racing to overhaul our current energy system in response to climate change, innovation has skipped over some of the basic grid infrastructure, which hasn’t changed much over the last couple of decades. For instance, almost all overhead electricity lines follow the same basic, Read More...
Department of the Interior moves to change derogatory US land names
We recently wrote about a California ski resort’s choice to change its derogatory name. Now, more sites around the US, specifically federal lands, will also get name changes as Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has ordered the department’s Board on Geographic Names to remove derogatory and racist Read More...
All new homes in England will be fitted with EV charging points
Electric vehicles are a greener alternative to traditional petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles, however, a major deterrent for drivers who are considering switching to electric is the lack of EV-charging points, meaning that drivers are plagued with “range anxiety,” or are, in other words, Read More...
Sleep therapy linked to reduced risk of depression
Insomnia is a major contributor to depression, and unfortunately, 30 to 50 percent of older adults complain of insomnia. A new study from UC Los Angeles explored the connection between sleep and depression risk and found that sleep training therapy is highly effective at reducing depression and Read More...
Happy Holidays: A gift list from The Optimist Daily
“True giving from the heart is an expression of love.” Cara Stein With the holiday season in full swing, it can be difficult to navigate gifting in a way that celebrates loved ones while upholding our environmental and ethical values. Choosing gifts that are thoughtful, sustainable, and Read More...
New breakthroughs in nutrient-sensing cells
Did you know immune cells can sense nutrients? A new study from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has identified the biological mechanism behind the phenomenon. The type of immune cells with these special abilities are called T cells. These play a critical role in immunity and cancer, Read More...
Senegal's only circus troupe helps homeless children get off the streets
Senegal has exactly one circus troupe: Sencirk—and it was founded by a former child beggar named Modou Touré. Before taking his place as ringmaster of his own circus, Touré, at the age of seven, was sent to a Quranic school. As punishment for learning the Islamic holy book too slowly, he was Read More...
Some expert tips on how to find motivation to do strength training at home
Thanks to the pandemic, many former gym junkies and fitness aficionados have become accustomed to working out at home—and while lots of people (and wallets) are enjoying this shift away from visiting the gym, it’s not always easy to find the motivation to complete all types of workouts. This is Read More...
Popcorn may be the next sustainable building material
Popcorn is more than just a tasty snack to munch on while at the movies—it may soon be widely used as a natural and eco-friendly alternative to man made home insulation. Scientists at Göttingen University in Germany have discovered that popcorn insulation boards had “excellent thermal Read More...