Business
Looking for positive and inspiring business stories? From green operations to employee rights, from innovative corporate structures to diversity and inclusion, the Business section at The Optimist Daily has got the latest innovative solutions from the corporate sector.
The Ocean Cleanup removed a record 25 million kilos of plastic in 2025 (and they’re just getting started)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a world where the scale of plastic pollution can feel overwhelming, 2025 brought a milestone worth celebrating: The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch nonprofit dedicated to removing plastic from marine environments, pulled more than 25 million kilograms of waste from Read More...
Yale will offer free tuition to families earning under $200,000 starting in 2026
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The prestigious Yale University is opening its doors even wider. Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, families earning less than $200,000 annually will no longer have to pay tuition to attend Yale. And for those earning under $100,000, the university Read More...
A big win for parents: free childcare is coming to San Francisco
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Living in one of the most expensive cities on Earth just got a little easier for families. In a major move to tackle affordability, San Francisco will now offer free childcare to families earning under $230,000 a year, and a 50 percent subsidy to those Read More...
From past-due to forgiven: inside North Carolina’s massive medical debt reset
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When Dawn Daly-Mack checked her mailbox one ordinary day, she nearly tossed an envelope she assumed was junk. Instead, she thought twice and opened it, finding a message that was far from mundane. “I opened it up and it said, ‘Your medical bill has Read More...
Want to keep your brain young? Helping others just a few hours a week may do the trick
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Turns out the secret to a sharper brain in your later years might not just be a crossword puzzle or green smoothie. It could be giving your neighbor a ride to the doctor or volunteering at your local food pantry. According to a new long-term study from the Read More...
Investing in planetary health could unlock $20 trillion a year by 2070, says UN report
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A sweeping new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) lays out an ambitious, but achievable, economic transformation: investing in the health of the planet could generate at least $20 trillion in annual benefits by 2070. Released during Read More...
Economic growth without emissions? More countries are proving it’s possible
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For decades, climate action skeptics have waved a tired argument: you can’t grow the economy and cut carbon emissions at the same time. But a new report suggests that narrative may be heading for retirement. In fact, a global shift is well underway, and Read More...
How Finland's giant sand battery is storing clean energy (and cutting emissions by 70 percent)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM To wrap up our Best of 2025 series, we’re sharing something a little more personal… our Staff Picks! These are the articles that sparked extra chats, late-night musings, and genuine delight among our team. They made us think, smile, and (of course) feel a Read More...
Why Icelanders are getting happier every year – and what we can learn from them
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Our Best of 2025 Education stories reflect a growing global commitment to reimagining how we learn, teach, and grow. These five highlights explore new models, inspiring individuals, and bold ideas that bring equity and creativity into classrooms and beyond. In Read More...
Norway bids farewell to fur farming in a milestone for animal welfare
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Politics may often feel gridlocked, but this year we witnessed powerful examples of what’s possible when courage meets action. In our Best of 2025 Politics roundup, we’re featuring policies and leaders that pushed for equity, justice, and real-world Read More...