Today’s Solutions: May 18, 2024

Oceans

From tackling marine plastic pollution to coral reef restoration, learn about humanity’s latest efforts to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife.

Barcelona Cruise Ship

Barcelona plans to limit docking of cruise ships

You’d think thousands of travelers disembarking from cruise ships in Barcelona would be a good thing for the city. However, these tourists coming in from the many yearly cruise liners don’t book accommodation, don’t spend as much as you’d think, and contribute to city congestion. The huge Read More...

Statue of Liberty aerial view with Jersey City in the background.

New York Harbor: an unexpectedly popular feeding ground for dolphins

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) released a new study that reveals some surprising news about the New York Harbor—it’s an unexpectedly popular feeding ground for bottlenose dolphins from spring through fall. At a glance, the New York Harbor seems anything but ideal for dolphins. Read More...

Palestinian kids have fun on a beach on Gaza Strip during a hot weather

Gaza beachgoers enjoy crystal clear waters for the first time in years

People in the Gaza Strip who wanted to take a refreshing dip while visiting the city’s beaches would be hard-pressed to actually get into the water. Beachgoers who did brave the waves would sometimes end up getting ill due to the untreated sewage that was flowing straight into the waters off Gaza Read More...

Landscape with glacier in Svalbard at summer time. Sunny weather.

Scientists discover surprising creatures 1,600 feet beneath Antarctica

Scientists seeking to study how the river in the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica has been impacted by climate change were surprised to find a lot more than they bargained for. While on the mission, the team (made out of professors and experts from a range of universities and organizations) found Read More...

Panama City

Tree cities: regreening and making cities more climate-resilient

We decided to revamp a story about a wonderful solution: tree cities.  At The Optimist Daily, as you’ve probably guessed, we love solutions for urban green spaces. We’ve written quite a bit about these, with their ability to offset carbon emissions, help grow food, and help animals and Read More...

Sponge City

Making spongier and more climate-resilient cities

We decided to revamp a story about a wonderful solution, with a few updates.  The world’s cities and population centers are overwhelmingly located near water. This makes good sense since water is essential for living, and throughout history, people have built their settlements where water is Read More...

Hand holds LGBTQ rainbow flag against green and natural backdrop

6 LGBTQ+ climate activist organizations to check out and support

Bringing together diverse voices and perspectives helps tackle problems more effectively. One of the greatest problems we face today is the issue of climate change and climate justice. The chances we have to overcome these threats become stronger when we rally together, despite (or because of) our Read More...

A hydrofoil boat approaching the port of the greek island Hydra.

The environmentally friendly, flying ships of the future

These days, electric cars, bikes, scooters, trams, and trains are common modes of transport. However, one mode of transport which hasn’t got the electric memo is ferries, which are still almost exclusively powered by fossil fuels. The problematic factor here is battery capacity, which cannot last Read More...

Photograph of ugly fringehead Fish (Santa Cruz Island, CA).

"Ugly" reef fish need our help

Pretty privilege is not just a bias humans hold within our own species. According to a machine-learning study from the University of Montpellier, reef fish that people perceive as more beautiful are a higher priority for conservation support. In the study, 13,000 members of the public were asked Read More...

Yosemite

US unveils plan to ban single-use plastic in national parks

Plastic pollution is so prevalent that harmful plastic particles can even be found in drinking water. Robust action on a national scale is needed to stop the flood of plastics into natural environments.  Wednesday, on World Oceans Day, the White House announced its plans to phase out single-use Read More...