Today’s Solutions: May 15, 2024

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.

zero-waste back pack for travel

7 tips for zero-waste air travel

While traveling by air isn’t the most eco-friendly means of transportation, sometimes it's the only viable option to get us where we need to go in a highly globalized world. However, even if you do travel by plane, there are still ways to reduce the environmental impact of your trip (that go Read More...

LA County

LA County mandates compostable and recyclable dining ware

As the largest economy in the country, and often an economic trendsetter, California has often been at the forefront of major changes in the United States. This has been the case with many of California’s green vehicle and driving regulations, and now it might be the same case with plastic Read More...

Voting for Climate Champions

Three things to keep in mind when voting on climate issues this fall

Like anything else in a democratic country, making decisions on climate change doesn’t depend just on the sitting president. There needs to be a majority of elected representatives acting concertedly in the interest of the people and the planet. The November elections are as important as the Read More...

e-waste recycling

New Zealand’s new machine revolutionizes its e-waste recycling

Many of us might not consider what effect our computers and other devices have on the world once we’re done with them. There are a lot of consumers demanding the right to repair, and rightly so. Our smart devices have hazardous materials which can be very harmful to the environment and people if Read More...

Seaweed

Seaweed could supplement our protein and future biofuel

Sometimes, the answers to important questions were right under our noses the whole time… or, in this case, underwater.  A Swedish sea farm is growing seaweed in abundance to show how it can become a major food staple and a potential resource for biofuel and plastics.  Sea agriculture  At Read More...

man sits with feet on the table, showing off holes in his socks

4 eco-conscious ways to dispose of old clothing

Once you’ve exhausted a garment to the point that it can no longer be mended, it can be tempting to simply throw it into the regular trash. However, doing so will only send them to the landfill where they will generate greenhouse gases and leach harmful dyes and chemicals into the soil as they Read More...

Solar Advocacy

6 ways to support solar energy without buying panels

Renewable resources are essential to achieve our goal of energy independence and resilience in the face of a changing climate. While many of us support the move toward energy sources such as wind and solar, we might not own our homes or be in a position to put up some solar panels ourselves. The Read More...

dog with a bunch of carrots in its mouth

Study suggests plant-based diets could be a healthy option for dogs

In the quest to lower carbon emissions, people’s interest in plant-based diets is growing, due to the fairly common knowledge that eating meat and animal byproducts, especially beef and dairy, is very resource-intensive.  The conversation around feeding our beloved pets plant-based chow is Read More...

Vibrant pink, blue, yellow flowers in full bloom growing wildly over stone wall in a cottage garden

Celebrate Earth Day by planting native plants… and then neglecting them

A lot of the time, human intervention is less effective than letting nature take its own course. So, this year, why not honor Mother Nature by giving her free rein over your garden. Instead of wishing for perfectly manicured lawns and pristine landscaping, imagine instead a fairytale-like oasis Read More...

young woman cooks on induction stove top

Want to slow climate change? Consider making your home all electric

Despite the alarming reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, experts still think that if we pull together and act quickly to use energy more efficiently, slow deforestation, and make a rapid shift to renewables, we can still cut global greenhouse gas emissions in half by Read More...