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.
Save the earth and your wallet by renting your kid's clothes online
Parents and guardians everywhere are all too familiar with the struggle of clothing a growing infant. New parents hurry to buy brand new baby clothes for their newborn but are then disappointed to find that once they dress their infants, many of the newborn clothes only fit for a couple of weeks. Read More...
This fashion partnership is making jackets out of old fishing nets
Fishing nets discarded in the sea pose a threat to marine animals and break down into polluting microplastics. Apparel and gear company Bureo prevents these nets from ending up in our oceans and gives them new life as upcycled sunglasses, skateboards, and even Jenga blocks. Now, the company has Read More...
This interactive map allows you to explore conservation land near you
Since its creation in 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has funded hundreds of thousands of conservation projects across the United States, both protecting land and providing iconic outdoor recreational spaces such as the Appalachian Trail and Joshua Tree National Park. Now, a new Read More...
New AI tech is protecting African elephants
African elephants are beautiful and majestic creatures that are unfortunately targeted by poachers because of their ivory tusks. In the last 50 years, the savanna elephant population dropped by 60 percent and the number of forest elephants has fallen by 86 percent in the past three Read More...
Adding enzymes to compostable plastic may help it biodegrade faster
As consumers demand sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, compostable plastic items have become increasingly popular in recent years. The problem, however, is that many of these 'compostable' items don’t break down in regular composting conditions and tend to contaminate other Read More...
A coalition of conservationists purchase and protect Belize Maya Forest
A large section of the tropical forest that spans Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala was previously owned by the Forestland Group, a US logging company, but now, a coalition of conservation organizations have purchased the 236,000-acre area to save it from deforestation. Organizations backing the Read More...
Groundbreaking treaty protects environmental activists in Latin America
After eight years of planning, a key treaty between Latin American and Caribbean countries finally went into effect last week. Called the Escazú Agreement, the groundbreaking international legislation is the first international treaty in the region and serves to both preserve the environment and Read More...
Vertical farming is bringing local produce to California’s densest cities
We’ve written extensively about vertical farming as a solution to make fresh food more sustainable, efficient, and localized. Now, sustainable agriculture company Plenty is hoping to expand the reach of vertical farming in California with two new sites in San Francisco and Compton. At their Read More...
This initiative empowers kids to join the conversation on climate change
In recent years, addressing climate change and curbing human activities that put our environment at risk has become a main concern for governments, businesses, and individuals who want to contribute to a healthier and more sustainable world. However, the youngest generations who will be most Read More...
This startup wants to use balloons to capture CO2 miles above ground
Direct carbon capture is key to reducing the dangerous amount of greenhouse gases that humanity has put into the atmosphere. One startup is taking a new approach to the problem by capturing CO2 from the atmosphere at a height of 52,800 feet. Called High Hopes, the Israel-based company has figured Read More...