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.
250 miles of New Mexico's rivers get toughest safeguards against pollution
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a unanimous decision that champions environmental resilience, New Mexico’s Water Quality Control Commission voted to protect 250 miles of stream and river segments with the state’s highest water quality safeguards. This historic decision recognizes Read More...
11 smart ways to save energy at home this winter
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Winter often brings with it soaring utility bills, thanks to extra heating, longer showers, and higher energy consumption in general. But what if you could stay warm and cozy while saving money and reducing your environmental footprint? By adopting a few Read More...
Save the spirit guardians: Hawaiian crows get a fresh start on Maui
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time in decades, five Hawaiian crows, or 'alalā, are soaring freely on the lush slopes of Maui's Haleakalā volcano. These birds are the most endangered crows on Earth, with only 110 of them left in existence. Extinct in the wild since 2002, Read More...
London Fashion Week will banish exotic animal skins by 2025
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM London Fashion Week established itself as a leader among the "big four" fashion weeks by becoming the first to prohibit the use of exotic animal skins. Beginning in 2025, designers exhibiting their collections on London's runways will be required to exclude Read More...
Over 75% of UK universities vow to divest from fossil fuels
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a major triumph for climate activists, over 77 percent of UK institutions pledged to divest from fossil fuels. The achievement is the culmination of over a decade of tireless effort by students and faculty. People & Planet's Fossil Free campaign, Read More...
Pakistan's surge in solar may be a promising solution to blackouts
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Pakistan has quietly emerged as an unexpected global leader in solar energy adoption. By 2024, the country is forecast to add an amazing 17 gigawatts (GW) of solar power, accounting for more than a third of its production capacity. This quick rise has Read More...
Canadian project addresses global insect crisis
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Insects, the often-overlooked building blocks of our ecosystems, are disappearing at an alarming rate. "Of all the mass extinctions we have experienced in the past, the one affecting insects is happening a thousand times faster," cautions Maxim Larrivée, Read More...
How Minnesota’s Sherco Solar is leading a clean energy revolution
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The biggest coal plant in Minnesota is going through a major makeover. The Sherburne County Generating Station, known as Sherco, is transitioning from a coal-fired legacy to a renewable energy hub. Sherco Solar, owned by Xcel Energy and currently in the Read More...
Changemakers of the week: Laguna Food Pantry and The Rama Tree Foundation
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day at The Optimist Daily, we share stories of solutions from around the globe. While we celebrate innovations of all sizes, those born within our local communities often leave the deepest mark. That’s why, leading up to Thanksgiving this year, Read More...
Stronger concrete, cleaner landfills—how scrap carpet fibers are reinventing construction
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Concrete is the foundation of modern civilization, but its notorious tendency to crack isn’t just a construction headache—it’s a multi-billion-dollar problem. In Australia alone, repairing cracks in reinforced concrete structures costs a staggering $8 Read More...