Circularity
Understanding the value of a circular economy and identifying circular solutions are essential to changing our world for good. Circularity, or the zero-waste principle of keeping materials in a closed loop and away from landfills and incinerators, is the future. Find out about the latest innovations and solutions accelerating the transition towards a circular economy in the articles here from The Optimist Daily.
Europe's low-carbon future: Denmark’s North Sea oil field is now a carbon storage site
Once a symbol of fossil fuel extraction, the remote Nini oil field in the North Sea is preparing for a new role: storing millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide beneath the ocean floor. Chemical giant INEOS, through its Greensand Future project, is preparing to launch what will become the European Read More...
New England's bet on heat pumps: a $450 million push toward cleaner, cheaper home heating
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM New England is no stranger to frigid winters, but five of its states are now working together on a major effort to keep homes warm with cleaner, more efficient technology. Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island have jointly Read More...
How Spain’s community solar revolution is helping families power up and costs go down
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM What started as a modest plan to give Taradell residents space to grow their own vegetables has blossomed into one of Spain’s most promising clean‑energy success stories. The small Catalan town, known for its strong culture of community action, soon saw Read More...
Brazil expands Indigenous territories as COP30 protests spotlight the stakes
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Brazil, a country at the heart of the world’s climate future, has taken a major step by creating 10 newly recognized Indigenous territories. The announcement came at a moment of heightened emotions and protests both inside and outside the COP30 conference, Read More...
How a pop-up apple orchard is turning surplus into joy and helping New Yorkers in need
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As Thanksgiving approaches, Manhattan is getting an unexpected gift: a pop-up apple orchard right in the heart of the city. And behind this sweet surprise is The Farmlink Project, a college-student-founded nonprofit that has become one of the most inspiring Read More...
Ways to make your Thanksgiving celebration more eco-friendly this year
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Thanksgiving, a time of thanks and feasting, often comes with an unanticipated environmental cost. From extra food waste to increased carbon emissions, the holiday season may have a significant impact on our planet. However, choosing eco-friendly options does Read More...
Scotland lays out new road map to reach net zero by 2045
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Scotland took its next step toward reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, releasing a sweeping draft climate action plan that outlines how the country intends to reduce emissions across transportation, energy, agriculture, and land use over the Read More...
New uses for everyday spaces: South Korea turns parking lots into solar power hubs
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Parking lots might not seem like climate solutions, but South Korea is proving they can be. Starting this month, any parking lot in the country with more than 80 spaces will be required to install solar canopies or carports. The new requirement applies not Read More...
Extinction rates are slowing—and conservation efforts may be paying off
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For years, headlines have warned that Earth is entering a sixth mass extinction. But new research suggests that this dire picture may be more nuanced, and even somewhat hopeful. A study by Kristen Saban and John Wiens of the University of Arizona's Read More...
How PeaceCYCLE transforms Haiti’s water sachets into sustainable jobs
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM 2025 Local Changemakers Series: Compassion-driven sustainability & care for the overlooked Welcome to the first installment of The Optimist Daily's Annual Local Changemakers series. Over the next five weeks, we are highlighting ten extraordinary Read More...