Today’s Solutions: May 19, 2024

Climate Action

What is Climate Action? Climate Action is humanity's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance our planet's resilience against climate change. From adaptation to mitigation, at The Optimist Daily you will learn about the most recent positive news stories and solutions targeting climate change and other environmental issues.

Rainforest

5 ways to save rainforests and the world every day

“At first, I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest. Now I realize I am fighting for humanity.”  - Chico Mendes, Brazilian environmentalist July 28 is World Nature Conservation Day.  In honor of this, we're happy to offer Read More...

Panoramic view of mountain valley with mist in New South Wales Australia nsw

Returning Indigenous land could be our best conservation initiative yet

Eight years ago, the Australian government bought 19 farm properties throughout the Lower Murrumbidgee Valley in New South Wales with the intention of restoring the wetland region to its former glory. After reviewing proposals, the land was granted to the tribal council of the Nari Nari, who Read More...

Cooling system made of bamboo in Vietnam

Cooling bamboo system is a green alternative to air conditioning

As is happening all over the planet, the number of sweltering days affecting people each year in Vietnam has grown significantly in recent years as a result of climate change. Using air conditioning may help reduce people’s exposure to life-threatening hot temperatures. The problem is, always Read More...

Earthworms

Earthworms: a natural solution to farms’ wastewater

Royal Dairy in Royal City, Washington has a problem that's common to dairy farms. The hundreds of millions of gallons of water used by their dairy and beef cows eventually become wastewater carrying animal waste, nitrates, and other harmful chemicals into the groundwater which people could one day Read More...

This climate action tool shows

This climate action tool shows where we are on our path to net zero

While the world has set big targets for tackling climate change, keeping track of progress is quite difficult — especially with so many factors involved. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a tool that could quantify the impact of various climate actions and clearly show how we’re doing on Read More...

Modern hi-speed passenger train of Spanish railways company-Renfe, in Seville railways station

Spain responds to the cost of living crisis by making train journeys free of charge

As the cost of living continues to climb ever higher, some governments are taking their time as they draw up and execute plans that will help support their citizens. Spain’s governing bodies, on the other hand, are charging full steam ahead to relieve their people of at least some financial Read More...

Electric tractor

Oregon project lets farmers test drive electric tractors

American drivers have plenty of options when it comes to electric cars, but what about farmers? The electrification of the agricultural industry is a lucrative and relatively untapped market. However, first, the technology needs to be sold to farmers, many of whom are hesitant about the Read More...

Modern glass electric kettle boiling on kitchen table.

10 eco-friendly kitchen appliances to make your home greener

A healthy kitchen goes beyond just eating green. On top of an eco-friendly diet, having planet-friendly appliances in the heart of your home can go a long way in making your household more sustainable. Although repairing existing items is a great first choice, if you do have an appliance in need of Read More...

Brazilian flag shines above the golden sunset city skyline at Sugarloaf Pao de Acucar Mountain in Rio de Janeiro Brazil

In a world-first Brazil rules that Paris Agreement is a Human Rights treaty

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change adopted by 196 Parties at COP21. The overarching goal is to limit global warming to below two degrees Celsius, and ideally keep it only to 1.5 degrees Celsius.  In a world-first, the supreme court of Brazil has declared that the Read More...

Waterways protein

Eating less meat could help oceans and waterways by reducing nitrogen

It’s difficult for us to consider the long-term, downriver consequences of the simplest of our actions. It isn’t because we’re indifferent; it’s because there are several complicated results to everything we do. Take eating too much meat. When our bodies have more protein than they need, Read More...