Today’s Solutions: February 23, 2026

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.

EU flags in front of European Commission in Brussels

The EU commits to its own “green deal”

The European Union will invest more than $270 billion in its own "green deal" in order to keep up with the United States and China. The growing green economy Many observers interpreted the move as a direct response to the Biden administration's hefty round of green subsidies, which were included Read More...

Big ashtray with cigarette butts. A smoker shakes off the ash in an ashtray.

Tobacco companies in Spain now fit the bill for cigarette butt clean-up

Tobacco businesses will be obliged to pay for the cleanup of millions of cigarette ends discarded by smokers each year under new environmental legislation in Spain. The decision, which went into effect last week, is part of a package of waste-reduction and recycling efforts. It calls for the Read More...

Happy fingers forming a hand heart on a bright sunny view of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, USA

22 reasons for optimism in 2022 (part II)

Here are eleven more good things that happened in 2022 that gave us cause to hope and celebrate. If you haven’t read part I yet, click here to check it out. Wordlemania hit hard In 2022, the number everyone was begging to hear was your Wordle score. Though the game where you try to predict a Read More...

Young latin woman pregnant business worker scanning package label at office

The Senate is on the verge of enacting new protections for pregnant workers

After 10 years of effort, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which would mandate reasonable workplace accommodations to allow pregnant workers to safely work, is likely to pass. The Senate voted 73-24 to add it as an amendment to the must-pass omnibus government spending measure, and the Read More...

Green Education

Two new DC public schools model net zero education

It goes without saying that we should be teaching our children about important environmental matters, especially excessive energy consumption and the need for energy efficiency. But what about the energy that a school itself consumes? While it is a rarely-thought-of area for improvement, new Read More...

Solar power Plant in small village in India

Welcome to Modhera, India’s first village entirely powered by solar

Modhera in Gujarat became India's first solar-powered village, setting a precedent for what UN Secretary-General António Guterres called a "reconciliation between humanity and the planet," according to Euronews. UN News reports that the solar project provides residents of Modhera with an Read More...

New regenerative therapy rever

New regenerative therapy reverses hearing loss

We don’t really appreciate how important hearing is until it starts diminishing. Those with hearing loss and their loved ones might realize then that this is an essential part of most people's communication and connection. Biotech company Frequency Therapeutics has found a way to reconnect those Read More...

Great Lakes Cleanup

$1 billion to be invested in cleaning up Great Lakes

The US Great Lakes are treasured and iconic wonders of North America's natural splendor. Countless families and individuals flock there for fun and thousands of species of animals, fish, insects, and birds call those waters home. Being important waterways, they also hold major economic importance Read More...

Gay Pride India.

Openly gay prince turned palace into safe haven for LGBTQ+ Indians

Countries around the world make encouraging and incremental progress toward equality every day. Many countries are banning inhumane practices such as conversion therapy, and some are making restitution to former victims of overturned anti-LGBTQ+ laws. While this is emboldening the fight for equal Read More...

Amasra town on the Black sea coast, Turkey

Turkey’s Zero-Waste Project protects environment and boosts economy

Observing the slow pace of environmental action, starting any kind of climate-focused initiative can feel futile. Don't let the cynics win. The fact is, our individual and collective efforts can make a significant difference. A wonderful reminder of this is Turkey’s Zero-Waste Project, which Read More...