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.
Struggling with climate anxiety? Climate scientists have some tips
As the effects of climate change become more apparent in our day to day lives, increasing numbers of people are experiencing climate anxiety, and the issue is rampant among the planet’s youngest generations. A recent survey of 10,000 young people found that three quarters think the future of the Read More...
Cornwall hospital turns disposable masks into litter-pickers
Disposable surgical masks are a prevalent problem worldwide due to the pandemic. The issue is that we need them to keep ourselves and each other safe, but there is no denying the massive quantity of litter that their constant use produces. The Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro is doing its best Read More...
Formed coalition commits seven countries to ending all new coal power
During a recent UN General Assembly, a coalition of seven countries formed the No New Coal Compact to adhere to Paris Agreement commitments to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The compact calls for all countries to halt the construction of new coal-fired power generation projects by the end of Read More...
Tesco and Loop begin easy and convenient refillable shopping scheme
Taking on greener shopping practices is essential in the fight against climate change, however, it can be hard to break old habits and remember to grab refillable containers on our way out to the shops. Well, Tesco’s new zero-waste shopping scheme, developed in partnership with the Loop, removes Read More...
Familial Forestry teaches villagers in India that trees are a part of the family
Shyam Sunder Jyani is a professor of sociology in India, but his passion project for the last 15 years has been tree planting. He was inspired by the sparse tree coverage at the campus he worked at back in 2003. With help from his class, he was able to replace the dying trees around the college Read More...
Australia sends sunshine to Singapore in gigantic renewable energy project
We’d venture to say that all countries hope to take on renewable energy, especially since all evidence suggests that if we don’t curb our fossil fuel use, the world will go careening into climate catastrophe. However, not all countries have access to the resources needed to make the Read More...
Ice stupas: How an artificial glacier is addressing India’s water crisis
Ice stupas were invented in 2013 by Indian engineer Sonam Wangchuk. They are essentially artificial glaciers that take wastewater flowing in the summer months and pump it uphill to be stored as ice during the winter and released once again when spring arrives. For water-scarce regions, they provide Read More...
A new discovery about algae reproduction could help save coral reefs
The type of algae known as dinoflagellates are valuable for improving the health of corals in warming waters, and now, researchers from Rice University have discovered that they reproduce via sex, meaning that algae sex could be critical for the survival of coral reefs. The algae reproduce by Read More...
Renewables provide more than just energy to Native American communities
Lack of resources and unclear regulatory oversight has slowed electrification on Native American Reservations, but some organizations believe the transition for renewable energy offers an opportunity to bring reliable, green, independent energy resources to reservations. Among these groups are Read More...
The Optimist View: Finding a fresh food solution with the help of the world’s saltiest plants
“Daily, our eating turns nature into culture, transforming the body of the world into our bodies and minds.” - Michael Pollan BY Amelia Buckley What do you picture when you hear the word halophyte? No, it’s not an obscure insect or the name of Elon Musk’s new futuristic car. Halophyte Read More...