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.
Ecuador extends rights of nature to coastal ecosystems
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Ecuador once again made history in environmental protection by granting legal rights to its coastal marine ecosystems. The Constitutional Court’s recent decision ensures that marine environments are entitled to “integral respect for their existence and Read More...
Solar shines brighter than coal in the EU
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time in history, solar power has overtaken coal in the European Union’s electricity mix. In 2024, solar energy generated 11 percent of the EU’s electricity, while coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, fell below 10 percent. This milestone, Read More...
Michael Bloomberg steps up to fund UN climate body after U.S. withdrawal
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When the United States announced last week the plans to withdraw the country from the Paris Agreement and cut international climate funding the ripple effects were felt across the globe. One of the biggest casualties was the United Nations Framework Read More...
How sheep are powering the solar boom in a win for sustainability and agriculture
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On a sprawling solar farm in rural Texas, thousands of sheep are hard at work. Beneath rows of glinting panels, the animals nibble through lush pastures, turning vegetation management into an eco-friendly endeavor. At SB Energy’s 4,000-acre solar project in Read More...
Oslo’s quiet revolution: how electric construction sites are changing the game
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine walking past a bustling construction site and hearing… almost nothing. In Oslo, that’s becoming the new normal. The city’s ambitious mandate to eliminate fossil fuels from municipal building projects has ushered in a quieter, cleaner era for Read More...
DIY toothpaste: a simple, eco-friendly guide to sparkling teeth
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Are you tired of reaching for the same old toothpaste tube every morning? Making your own toothpaste not only allows you to ditch the artificial ingredients but also lets you customize your dental care while saving money and reducing waste. It’s a small Read More...
Belfast venues unite to eliminate single-use plastic cups
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Belfast is making history as the first city in Ireland and the UK to commit to eliminating single-use plastic cups in entertainment venues. This city-wide initiative, led by the Venue Sustainability Forum and supported by Visit Belfast, will see major and Read More...
European zoos are giving Christmas trees a second life
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Once the holidays wrap up, many of us find ourselves dismantling the decorations, dragging our Christmas trees to the curb, and bidding adieu to the season. But in zoos across Europe, these festive trees are embarking on a second life—not in landfills, but Read More...
Thailand bans plastic waste imports to combat toxic pollution
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Thailand officially banned the import of plastic waste, a move hailed as a victory by environmental campaigners. The ban, which came into effect this month, aims to curb toxic pollution and protect human and environmental health in a country that has long Read More...
All city buildings in Chicago are now powered by renewable energy
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Chicago entered 2024 with a landmark achievement: every one of its 411 municipal buildings, from City Hall to local libraries, now runs entirely on renewable energy. This monumental shift comes as part of the city’s broader climate strategy and has been Read More...