Today’s Solutions: May 09, 2024

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.

Germany solar energy

Germany plans to be 100 percent renewable by 2035

Sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar are important for countries as well as the planet. They improve efficiency, can reduce weather-related blackouts, and they also help a country’s independence by allowing it to rely on itself for energy.  Germany announced Monday that its goal Read More...

Offshore wind farm electric boat

These wind-powered offshore chargers could change shipping

Wind energy is a major part of our energy future. As the technology develops it opens up new possibilities in different areas of our economies.  The biggest CO2 emitter for offshore wind farms is the diesel boats that drive out for maintenance on the turbines. Scottish firm Oasis Marine Power Read More...

Carbon Dioxide Molecule

This startup uses electrochemistry to capture carbon

A tricky part of carbon capture technology is the energy required to pull it off. Many critics, while agreeing on the need to pull carbon dioxide out of the air, say that existing technologies might produce more emissions than they remove. Now, startups are getting creative to optimize carbon Read More...

New recycled plastics can upgrade roads and held curb plastic waste

This highway was made from recycled diapers

Recycling plastic to create a new purpose for it is nothing new. Here at The Optimist Daily, we’ve previously shared how innovators have reused this material to create blocks for building, a sleek chair, and LEGO bricks. A diaper highway For the first time, the plastic in diapers is being Read More...

Second hand wardrobe idea. Circular fashion, eco friendly sustainable shopping, thrifting shop concept. Woman outfit.

3 easy ways to shop for clothes more sustainably

As prices rise and we all feel that pinch in our pocketbooks, consumers are seeking ways to shop for the things they need and want without breaking the bank.  On the other hand, we are constantly being shown ads that encourage us to shop always for the latest trends, so it’s no wonder fast Read More...

Lightning over sea, city

This non-profit aims to harness the power of weather events on land and sea

When it comes to hurricanes, wildfires, and other environmental hazards, early alerts are key to minimizing risk to people from these high-powered natural phenomena.  What if there were a system that both warned individuals of weather events like these and then converted their power into usable Read More...

Wind Farm Ship Charging

These buoys will be able to charge ships at sea with offshore wind energy

A lot of the world’s commerce is done at sea by huge cargo ships that burn enormous amounts of fuel idling near ports waiting to load up. This may change in the future with the development of Stillstrom charging buoy, a wind-powered solution.  Offshore wind-powered charging Read More...

Agroforesty vineyard trees

Countering climate change while making wine

When tackling the issues of climate change, the art of growing and cultivating wine is overlooked. Connoisseurs and social sippers the world over, though, would certainly miss reds, whites, and roses if the world became inhospitable for vineyards that make them.  As average temperatures Read More...

Solar power clean water

This solar-powered desalination system is a gamechanger

Desalination offers a lot of promise to communities that may face water scarcity in the future. For some, the problem is compounded by the potential scarcity of reliable electricity. As such, it has been the aim of many researchers to develop solar-powered desalination devices, which is a difficult Read More...

Montreal Convention Center Solar Material

This sustainable solar panel can go on buildings or your clothes

When you see the new sunlight-absorbing material developed by Carvey Ehren Maigue, an engineering student from the Philippines, the colors might remind you of the Aurora Borealis.  In fact, Auroras were what inspired Maigue when he named his new game-changing material, AuREUS. This is a new Read More...