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.
Does Mario Kart hold the key to reducing poverty and boosting sustainability?
Andrew Bell, a Boston University College of Arts & Sciences assistant recently published a paper that suggests we adopt the principles of the popular racing game Mario Kart to reduce world poverty and improve sustainability. This classic Nintendo racing game has stirred up competition Read More...
Seaspiracy inspires grocery store to phase out sale of fish products
Netflix documentary Seaspiracy has been making waves since its recent release on March 24. It aims to educate viewers about the adverse effects of the global fishing industry on our oceans. It also exposes the issues with sustainable fish certifications as well as the corruption and slave labor in Read More...
Britain’s electricity grid sees greenest day ever over Easter
Sunshine, coupled with windy weather over the Easter bank holiday has seen Great Britain’s electricity grid record its greenest day ever, with carbon intensity dropping to the lowest it’s ever been. On Easter Monday, power plants in England, Scotland, and Wales emitted only 39g of CO2/kWh of Read More...
Urban development upgrades that will outlast the pandemic
During the pandemic, cities closed off their streets to cars, turned unused parking garages into urban farms, and expanded bike lanes. These people-friendly modifications made cities more livable during a global pandemic, but many of them are here to stay as cities shift away from car-based Read More...
New app aims to cut plastic waste at the source by tracing leakage points
Every year, more than eight tons of plastic waste end up polluting the oceans and destroying marine habitats. Figuring out where that plastic litter originates from is key to making a significant dent in this growing environmental crisis. A new app developed by scientists in Norway aims to do Read More...
This supermarket chain wants you to stop buying single-use water bottles
According to Statista, more than half a trillion plastic bottles will be produced this year, the vast majority of which will escape the recycling loop and end up in landfills, polluting the environment. In an effort to do its part, supermarket chain New Seasons Market has decided to remove Read More...
Three ways to take your food sustainability to the next level
So you use a metal straw, compost, and turn your scraps into stock, but you’re looking to bring your sustainable routine to the next level. Any sustainable lifestyle change is a good one, but if you’re looking for more extensive ways to reduce your personal carbon footprint, here are some ideas Read More...
Pandemic lockdowns had a positive impact on light pollution
Positive side effects of the pandemic have included rebounding animal populations and decreased emissions. It turns out, the night sky also got a little darker during lockdowns. Just in time for International Dark Sky Week, The Countryside Charity (CPRE) released a report detailing how light Read More...
It’s International Dark Sky Week. Here’s how to celebrate
International Dark Sky week was established in 2003 by high-school student Jennifer Barlow. It aims to reduce light pollution and encourage people all around the world to appreciate the beauty of the night sky. This year, Dark Sky Week runs from April 5th through the 12th. We’re already part way Read More...
Five sustainable brands pioneering the adaptive fashion movement
Sustainable fashion is on the rise as consumers increasingly opt for second-hand clothing or demand transparency and accountability from their favorite brands. But this doesn't mean sustainable style is accessible to everyone. Plus-size people have fewer options for ethical and eco-friendly Read More...