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.
Diary of a Young Naturalist: The joy and self-reflection in observations of nature
Dara McAnulty has been fascinated with the natural world since he was a young child. From exploring the rugged coastlines of Northern Ireland to observing moths in his own backyard, there is nothing in nature that doesn’t intrigue him. In a New York Times profile, McAnulty explains that he Read More...
Apple co-founder advocates for right to repair policies
In Europe, right to repair laws are ensuring that customers don’t have to buy new goods when something breaks 一 saving them money and reducing waste. Many environmentalists and consumer advocates are urging the US and other countries to adopt similar measures, and want companies to step up to Read More...
This startup makes petrochemicals from captured CO2
Petrochemicals, chemicals made from fossil fuels, are present in an estimated 6,000 products (and probably more), but Bay Area startup Twelve thinks there is a better way to produce these chemicals. And maybe even help the planet while they’re at it. Rather than sourcing petrochemicals from Read More...
China announces that the giant panda is no longer classified as “endangered”
Great news for giant pandas! Chinese wildlife officials have moved the iconic bears from the “endangered” classification to “vulnerable.” Although the bears are not out of the woods yet, the wild population has reached 1,800, making a significant milestone in conservation efforts. The Read More...
Turin transforms abandoned tramway into an attractive community park
Here at The Optimist Daily, we are big fans of sustainable urban development projects that put community front center. The creation of the Precollinear Park in Turin, Italy, is exactly this type of project. The park came about as the result of a placemaking initiative by nonprofit Torino Read More...
Spray on road treatment cools cities and absorbs exhaust fumes
The heat island effect can make temperatures in cities ten degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas. This is not only uncomfortable for residents but can also have dangerous health impacts during heat waves. To address this issue, Pavement Technology Inc. has created a new treatment for roads Read More...
IMO moves to make shipping companies pay a price for emissions
As the volume of goods traded across the world continues to increase, emissions from container ships are becoming a more prevalent source of pollution. In an effort to transition to industry towards a greener future, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has proposed a regulation that would Read More...
This sleek, zero-waste kitchen design takes a stance against personal waste
A zero-waste kitchen is every eco enthusiast's dream. But, as many of us might know by now, leaving no waste behind when cooking is a daunting, if not seemingly impossible, task. In an effort to make things easier, designer Ivana Steiner has created a sustainable kitchen — made of recycled Read More...
Can this robotic fish save the seas?
From food to fashion, consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z-ers, are leaning towards companies that practice green methods of manufacturing their products and transparency, which is a great thing—but it also leads to lots of greenwashing. How can we confirm that companies follow through Read More...
World’s first underwater farm is growing fruits and veggies once again
While floating farms are already an indication of how agriculture might look like in the future, underwater farms are just getting started. With that said, their prospects to increase food security across the world look promising. Just recently, the world’s first underwater farm started producing Read More...