Design
How Finland's giant sand battery is storing clean energy (and cutting emissions by 70 percent)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM To wrap up our Best of 2025 series, we’re sharing something a little more personal… our Staff Picks! These are the articles that sparked extra chats, late-night musings, and genuine delight among our team. They made us think, smile, and (of course) feel a Read More...
The mindful home: simple ways to create a peaceful space that supports mental health
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Our Best of 2025 Lifestyle edition is all about the big impact of small shifts. These stories capture what it looks like to live more intentionally, from the habits we build to the way we connect with others and the world. Think of it as a guide to joyful, Read More...
Mushroom caskets offer an earth-friendly goodbye in North America’s first burial of its kind
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Today in our Best of 2025 series, we’re highlighting business stories that prove doing good and doing well are not mutually exclusive. From ethical entrepreneurship to bold climate pivots, these are the innovations and ideas reshaping the economy for a more Read More...
U.S. introduces first female crash test dummy to close decades-long safety gap
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a move hailed as decades overdue, the U.S. Department of Transportation introduced the country’s first crash test dummy modeled on female anatomy. The new model, called the THOR-05F, marks a significant step toward addressing long-standing gender Read More...
How fungi may transform the future of construction
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a quiet lab in the Netherlands, Professor Han Wösten holds up what looks like a spongy brick. It may not seem like much at first glance, but this block, made from the rooting networks of fungi, could be a window into the future of sustainable Read More...
Concrete that powers cities? Scientists turn ancient material into giant batteries
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Concrete is one of civilization's oldest building blocks as well as one of its most ubiquitous. From bridges and buildings to sidewalks and stadiums, it forms the backbone of modern life. Now, researchers are reimagining this ancient material not just as Read More...
How NFL stadiums are tackling climate change, one solar panel and compost bin at a time
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM It’s not every day you see a wall of solar panels towering over a sea of green jerseys, but that’s exactly what greeted fans at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia during a recent Eagles home game. Inside the stadium, visitors took selfies with a Read More...
All aboard the clean power express: Colorado startup turns trains into rolling batteries
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For over a century, America’s railroads hauled coal by the ton, fueling the country’s insatiable appetite for fossil energy. Now, a Colorado startup is flipping that script by replacing coal with clean power. Meet SunTrain, the Denver-based company Read More...
From wind farm to front door: architects turn turbines into tiny homes
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Step inside Nestle, and you might think you’re in a sleek, minimalist cabin. The sunlight filters through glass doors, white walls glow under a skylight, and four solar panels gleam overhead. Step outside, though, and the secret is revealed: this cozy Read More...
Helsinki marks a year without traffic deaths, thanks to slower speeds and smarter streets
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Helsinki achieved something remarkable: a full year without a single traffic fatality. City and police officials confirmed the milestone this week, noting that the last fatal accident took place in early July 2024 in the Kontula district. Authorities say Read More...