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.
North America’s largest solar project set to power lives of thousands
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM An incredible renewable energy project is taking shape in Medicine Hat, Alberta, as North America’s largest urban solar power park moves closer to reality. The Saamis solar project, a 325-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic development, is set to transform an old Read More...
Water lentils: the sustainable superfood making its way to European tables
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Water lentils, a protein-packed and environmentally friendly plant, have officially been approved as a vegetable in Europe, offering a promising contribution to the protein transition and global food security. However, for this tiny but mighty plant to make a Read More...
Germany's small town bet: can deep geothermal energy power the future?
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Fifteen years ago, the German town of Geretsried had high hopes for geothermal energy. However, when traditional drilling methods failed to reach enough hot water, the town was left with natural gas as its primary heating source. A new wave of geothermal Read More...
5 creative ways to reuse steeped tea bags
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM If you’re a regular tea drinker, you might be tossing out your used tea bags without a second thought. But before you discard them, consider this: steeped tea bags have a variety of clever uses beyond just brewing a great cup of tea. From the garden to your Read More...
Is water the simple solution to making future solar cells recyclable?
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Solar energy is rapidly rising, with panel prices dropping and global adoption increasing by around 24 percent annually over the past decade. The industry is projected to triple in size by 2028, thanks in part to the growing use of perovskite solar cells—a Read More...
America’s first car-free neighborhood is proving walkability works
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a country where the car is king, a bold car-free community in Arizona is challenging the status quo. Culdesac Tempe, a $200 million, 17-acre development, is designed to prioritize walkability, public transit, and community connection. Since its debut in Read More...
How black soldier fly larvae are revolutionizing agriculture
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the world of sustainable agriculture, one tiny insect is punching well above its weight. The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), known for their insatiable appetite, are proving to be a game-changing solution to food waste and soil degradation. With the Read More...
SF State leads the way as the first major university to require climate justice course
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM San Francisco State University is setting a historic precedent by becoming the first major public university in the U.S. to require all students to take a climate justice course before graduating. Beginning as early as fall 2026, this initiative ensures that Read More...
Māori rights and environmental protection: Taranaki Mounga gains legal personhood
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM New Zealand’s North Island took a monumental step in recognizing Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship. Taranaki Mounga (also widely spelled Maunga), a striking volcanic peak revered by the Taranaki Māori, has been granted legal personhood. This Read More...
How vertical farming transforms urban spaces and breathes new life into empty offices
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In cities across the globe, office vacancies are at an all-time high. In the United States alone, more than 20 percent of office spaces sit empty, a consequence of the shift to remote and hybrid work. While real estate developers scramble to repurpose these Read More...