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.
Pakistan's surge in solar may be a promising solution to blackouts
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Pakistan has quietly emerged as an unexpected global leader in solar energy adoption. By 2024, the country is forecast to add an amazing 17 gigawatts (GW) of solar power, accounting for more than a third of its production capacity. This quick rise has Read More...
How Minnesota’s Sherco Solar is leading a clean energy revolution
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The biggest coal plant in Minnesota is going through a major makeover. The Sherburne County Generating Station, known as Sherco, is transitioning from a coal-fired legacy to a renewable energy hub. Sherco Solar, owned by Xcel Energy and currently in the Read More...
Stronger concrete, cleaner landfills—how scrap carpet fibers are reinventing construction
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Concrete is the foundation of modern civilization, but its notorious tendency to crack isn’t just a construction headache—it’s a multi-billion-dollar problem. In Australia alone, repairing cracks in reinforced concrete structures costs a staggering $8 Read More...
How the Environment Leaders Programme cultivates climate action in schools
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The climate crisis can feel like an overwhelming storm—literally and figuratively, but young people across the UK are eager to be part of the solution. A recent survey of 1,500 students aged 7-17 revealed something inspiring: the next generation doesn’t Read More...
The giant beneath the waves: world’s largest coral found in the Pacific
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a world where bad news about the environment routinely outweighs good news, scientists have discovered an incredible exception: the world's largest coral. Nestled in the pristine seas of the Solomon Islands, this huge marine monster is 34 meters broad and Read More...
Changemakers of the week: Third Act and HeartMath
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, the ones that emerge from our local communities often have the greatest impact. Welcome to the fifth round of The Optimist Daily’s Read More...
Washington voters uphold groundbreaking climate law, a victory for climate action
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On November 5, Washington voters made an important decision for the future of climate action by deciding to uphold the state's Climate Commitment Act (CCA), one of the nation's most ambitious climate laws. This vote marked a huge loss for Republican efforts Read More...
Changemakers of the week: Lowlander Center and Ridwell
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, the ones that emerge from our local communities often have the greatest impact. We can’t believe we’re already at the fifth round of Read More...
Melting Antarctic glacier raises alarm, but Arctic sea ice project offers hope
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As the globe grapples with the growing effects of climate change, a fresh study from Antarctica has revealed alarming findings: the Thwaites Glacier, sometimes known as the "Doomsday Glacier," is retreating at an unprecedented rate. The disintegration of this Read More...
Migrating birds find refuge in pop-up wetlands thanks to the innovative rice farming program
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every year, tens of millions of birds fly thousands of miles along the Pacific Flyway, a critical migration path that runs from the Arctic to South America. The western sandpiper, for example, migrates from Alaska to as far as Peru, stopping to rest and feed Read More...