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.
France's composting mandate, ‘compost obligatoire’—a transformative environmental policy
France implemented a bold waste management policy known as the 'compost obligatoire', which went into effect on January 1, 2024. This innovative legislation requires the recycling of organic waste, indicating a big step towards sustainability. Government support and civic duty With financing from Read More...
Are mushrooms Mother Nature's built-in solution to plastic pollution?
In a world overrun with plastic waste, the potential hero may arise from the humble realm of fungi. With between two and four million species worldwide, these often overlooked creatures hold possibilities ranging from alternative building materials to cleansing environmental toxins. Scientists Read More...
The leading startups transforming CO2 into everyday wonders
For Stafford Sheehan, a cofounder and chemist at Air Company, perfume-making is more than simply creating an enticing scent. Air Company, established in New York, uses technology that transforms carbon dioxide into ethanol, which is then blended with essential oils and water to create the pale Read More...
10 simple and eco-friendly resolutions for the New Year
As we step into the new year, it's normal to plan major changes. But let's face it-- implementing them can be difficult. These ten green resolutions are so straightforward that you won't have an excuse not to keep them. Taking on these environmentally-centered goals is an easy and rewarding Read More...
Sewage heat: Vancouver's steamy and sustainable energy source
Since 2010, an innovative energy program in Vancouver's False Creek has quietly transformed the city's energy landscape. This novel technology harnesses the latent heat in sewage effluent, converting it into a renewable heat source for nearly 6,000 apartments. Derek Pope, Vancouver's manager of Read More...
How Uruguay achieved 98% renewable energy
During the 2000s, as global fossil fuel costs skyrocketed, Uruguay faced a tremendous issue. Uruguay, as a country heavily reliant on foreign oil, found itself in an energy crisis. With a population of 3.4 million, the surge in energy demand surged by 8.4 percent in the preceding year. As a result, Read More...
Innovative drought relief in California: from toilet to tap
California is pioneering a daring strategy of turning sewage into safe, potable water in response to the severe concerns of water scarcity exacerbated by climate change. The State Water Resources Control Board approved laws that allow treated wastewater to flow straight into Californians' taps, Read More...
China's monumental climate shift: embracing a “post-peak" era in the coming years
China, the world's economic giant, is on the verge of a watershed moment in its environmental history. After decades of rapid development and skyrocketing emissions, signs point to a near-term peak in carbon output, providing hope for global climate efforts. According to the Center for Research Read More...
23-year-old strives to make surfing sustainable with mushroom surf boards
Surfing is a sport that is all about getting close to and appreciating nature. Unfortunately, conventional surfboards tend to contribute to environmental degradation. Steve Davies, a 23-year-old board designer from Porthcawl, Wales, is working on a surfboard built of mycelia, the root-like Read More...
Pacific coral reefs may be more resilient than we think
Coral reefs, the vibrant life-filled undersea cities, have long been on the front lines of climate change's onslaught. However, new research from Newcastle University provides a ray of light in the middle of these struggles. The coral reefs of Palau demonstrate a capacity to adapt to rising ocean Read More...