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.
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...
Adidas unveils its first shoe made of mushroom leather
Last year, we shared a story about a consortium of major brands pledging to bring mushroom leather into their products as soon as 2021. Among these giant retailers was Adidas, which has now unveiled a mycelium leather version of its classic Stan Smith trainers — becoming the latest in a flurry of Read More...
California commits to end oil extraction in the state by 2045
Following the federal commitment to reduce US emissions by 50 percent by 2030, California has expanded upon its climate commitments with the new goal of phasing out all oil extraction in the state by 2045. Additionally, it has demanded that the Department of Conservation halt all fracking permits Read More...
US Commits to cutting emissions by 50% by 2030
Last week’s global summit on climate change yielded some pretty impressive climate commitments from a variety of world leaders. One of the prominent pledges is that from the US which committed to reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2030. This commitment is expected to be made official in a Read More...