Environment
Need some good news about the environment? The Optimist Daily is your go-to herald of positive environmental news, highlighting eco-friendly solutions and scientific progress around climate action, circularity, conservation, and more. Learn about everything eco in our Environment section.
Snorkelers discover record-breaking coral in Great Barrier Reef
A group of snorkelers in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef discovered a true treasure during a dive last week. While swimming off the coast of Goolboodi island in Queensland’s Palm Island Group, they stumbled across a coral measuring 17.4 feet (5.3 meters) tall and 34.1 feet (10.4 meters) Read More...
This plastic-free recyclable cooler uses wool to keep things cool
While it is an effective insulation material, the polyurethane foam typically used in coolers is difficult to recycle, involves harmful chemicals in its production, and releases noxious gases during decomposition. All of these environmental setbacks are what has prompted a startup, called Wool Read More...
Texas A&M launches center for insect farming research
Eating crickets for breakfast may sound unconventional, but this unlikely ingredient could potentially provide protein-rich food to the millions currently lacking it. We’ve written before about the environmental and dietary benefits of insect protein. Now, Texas A&M AgriLife Research has Read More...
Automated aircraft towing tech aims to save fuel and cut emissions
Airlines consume billions of gallons of jet fuel every year to transport passengers around the world. About five percent of that fuel is used on the ground, as airliners have to run their jet engines to taxi along the runway, generating a lot of carbon emissions in the process. A novel in-ground Read More...
Scotland to provide free bikes to kids in need
We at The Optimist Daily are big fans of cycling—it’s good for your mental and physical health, and it’s a better mode of transportation for our planet. So, it’s no surprise that we are happy to report that the Scottish government is planning on releasing six pilot schemes that will Read More...
Rediscovery of endangered Hawaiian bird brings hope for its population
The Kiwkiu, also known as the Maui Parrotbill, was once a common sight on the Hawaiian islands of Maui and Moloka’i. But as a result of human activity, feral pigs, wildcats, and mosquito-transmitted diseases, the golden, thick-billed bird’s population dwindled to around 150. In a bid to Read More...
Celebrate the National Parks Service’s birthday with free admissions
Today, August 25, 2021, marks the 105th birthday of the National Parks Service (NPS), and to celebrate, the NPS is offering free admission to all 423 US National Parks, including trails and monuments, spanning 50 states as well as American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 105 Read More...
This device combines solar and human energy to generate electricity
An average person creates 100 to 150 watts of power while riding a stationary bike. That energy, however, usually remains untapped, causing users to miss out on a great opportunity to generate their own green electricity. In fact, by harnessing the biomechanical power generated by a stationary Read More...
Babbling bats: Winged mammals could teach us about human language
You may not think humans have much in common with bats, but it turns out these nocturnal creatures may provide critical insights into human language development. Researchers from the Museum of Natural History Berlin spent many months studying bat colonies in Panama and Costa Rica and found that in Read More...
Manchester City is the first to offer soccer fans edible coffee cups
Soccer fans rejoice! In many cases, fans have returned to the stands after months and months of empty stadiums. However, returning fans aren’t just thirsty for the thrill of watching their favorite team play in the flesh—they’ll be thirsty for whatever the concession stands have to offer, Read More...