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.
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...
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...