Today’s Solutions: May 17, 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.

Woman holding metro travel pass

Drivers in Barcelona can exchange their old car for a free transit pass

With governments racing to meet their climate targets, many of them have been particularly attentive to the transportation sector, where reducing emissions can have a huge impact. In that vein, there is an increasing number of initiatives looking to move people away from cars and towards cleaner Read More...

Dutch pension giant ABP to div

Dutch pension giant ABP to divest from fossil fuel producers

Motivated by recent climate reports by the United Nations and International Energy Agency, the Netherlands’ biggest pension fund, the ABP fund, has announced that it will divest from companies that produce fossil fuels. The change, which many of the members of the fund were demanding, was Read More...

Kernza could be the agricultur

Kernza could be the agricultural grain of the future

Have you ever heard of Kernza? If not, you’re not alone. This underappreciated grain was developed by The Land Institute in 2008, and its many nutritional and environmental benefits mean you will probably be hearing more about it in the near future. What is Kernza? Kernza is a form of Read More...

McDonald's Happy Meal box sits on white table

McDonald's to phase out plastic toys in Happy Meals by 2025

Many of us have fond memories of visiting McDonald’s with our friends and family as children and receiving the specially packaged Happy Meals. Underneath those cardboard golden arches, we knew that we would find a little toy inside, which we would eagerly anticipate putting together and playing Read More...

Irish castle surrounded by nature

The lord of rewilding: Irish Baron turns his estate into a nature preserve

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world would need to rewild and restore a territory the size of China over the next decade to meet commitments on nature and tackling climate change. In Ireland, a landowner, and holder of one of the oldest surviving Irish peerage Read More...

blue knit sweater lays on top of mint green background

3 Tricks to keep your sweaters in tip top shape

Autumn is in full swing, which means pumpkin picking, hot lattes, and sweater weather—but this year, instead of buying new knit sweaters, use these three tips to wash, unshrink, de-pill, and store whatever you already have in your closet so that you can make them last longer. Using what your have Read More...

young climate activist in hand-made canary costume poses in tree for climate change

These crafty activists flock together and stitch canaries for climate change

Over the past few months, residents in the UK would have had the chance to spot more than 70 “flocks” of UK crafters that have been gathering across the nation as a way to encourage politicians to react more aggressively to the climate crisis. The participants in this project, which was Read More...

New Zealand landscape with fence

New Zealand mandates climate change disclosures for financial institutions

New Zealand has introduced legislation to increase climate transparency in banking. The country’s new policy will require publicly listed companies and large insurers, banks, non-bank deposit takers, and investment managers to make climate-related disclosures. Most companies and banks Read More...

Algae wrapped in droplets impr

Algae wrapped in droplets improves efficiency of artificial photosynthesis

In our quest for the most sustainable, most renewable sources of energy, humanity continues to look to nature for inspiration. One of nature’s most efficient energy systems is photosynthesis, which is how plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into chemical energy to fuel themselves. Read More...

Eco-friendly ways to deal with

Eco-friendly ways to deal with your cat's kitty litter

Yesterday we wrote about the most eco-friendly ways dog owners can manage their furry companions' waste. Now, we will tackle the same topic, but for cat litter. Cat litter can be an incredible waste. It is often full of potentially harmful chemicals as well. Don’t fret, though. There are a few Read More...