Climate Action
What is Climate Action? Climate Action is humanity's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance our planet's resilience against climate change. From adaptation to mitigation, at The Optimist Daily you will learn about the most recent positive news stories and solutions targeting climate change and other environmental issues.
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...
Scientists finally complete map of gigantic deep sea coral reef off the US Atlantic coast
For the first time in scientific history, experts have cracked the code of the world's largest deep-sea coral reef, a massive 6.4 million-acre ecosystem hundreds of miles off the Atlantic coast of the United States. This incredible discovery, which surpasses the size of Vermont, has now been Read More...
Sea otters: the guardians of California's kelp forests
New research from the Monterey Bay Aquarium reveals a striking link between the recovery of Southern sea otters and the condition of kelp forests along the West Coast. According to a study published in the journal PLOS Climate, the recovery of sea otter populations in central California coincided 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...
Poland protects 10 of its most ancient forests by proclaiming ban on logging
In a significant step toward environmental conservation, Poland's newly appointed climate and environment minister, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, declared a half-year halt on logging in ten of the country's most valuable forests. These initiatives highlight the government's commitment to preserve 20 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...