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.
First 3D printed homes in US set to hit the market
A couple of weeks ago, we shared how the world’s first 3D printed school was being built in Madagascar. Now, anyone can take part in the 3D dwelling as the first printed US houses hit the market. The houses, constructed by printing firm Icon, are located in a housing development in Austin, Read More...
Conservationists release 36 endangered tortoises on Galapagos island
Following the introduction of predators, competitors, and vegetation change on the Galapagos’ San Cristobal island, the population of the endemic Chelonoidis chathamensis giant tortoise was reduced from 24,000 animals to about 600 in the early 1970s, pushing the species to the brink of Read More...
Hayek Hospital in Beirut is the first to go vegan
What comes to mind when you think of an average hospital meal? Likely something bland and processed and, if you’re lucky, a dessert resembling Jell-o. Food is critical to health and recovery, yet many medical facilities fall short when it comes to nutritious options. The personnel at Read More...
Scientists observe sea slugs self-decapitate and regenerate their body
Planet Earth is home to many incredible creatures, some of which, like lizards and whale sharks, can regrow detached parts of their bodies. But Elysia marginata, a particular species of sea slugs, is one-upping these animals with their remarkable regenerative abilities. Sakaya Mitoh, a Ph.D. Read More...
Crickets: the gateway bug to eating insects
As the global mindset shifts in a more eco-friendly direction, it’s becoming difficult for meat eaters to ignore the negative impact raising livestock has on our environment. Take Madagascar for instance. Almost 80 percent of Madagascar’s forests have been destroyed since the 1950s, and each Read More...
Cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells would yield billions in benefits
New research is revealing time and time again that often the most sustainable solution is also the most economically viable. The latest example of this phenomenon is found in abandoned US oil and gas fields. New research from Hendrix College has found that cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells Read More...
Japanese knife maker develops the world’s first disposable paper razor
While they’re a cheap and convenient way to carry out your shaving routine, most disposable razors only last for a couple of shaves before they become blunt and are tossed away. Plus, since they’re mainly made of plastic, they’re destined to become just another contributor to our growing Read More...
Critically endangered harlequin toad bred in the UK for the first time
The stunning harlequin toad is a critically endangered frog whose native habitat lies in the rainforests of Panama and Costa Rica. Because they are so rare and face extinction in their native homeland, a team of scientists in the UK has undertaken the task of breeding this elusive species outside Read More...
Seven strategies to jump-start a zero-waste lifestyle
As the negative impacts of human-driven climate change become more obvious in our day-to-day lives, humanity is experiencing a shift in consciousness that prioritizes sustainability and minimizing our carbon footprint. However, breaking old habits in exchange for sustainable ones, such as Read More...
Fiji’s coral reefs once again boom with life after cyclone destruction
When Tropical Cyclone Winston struck Fiji back in 2016, it decimated the reefs across the archipelago’s Namena reserve and Vatu-i-Ra. But four years later, to the delight of researchers, the coral reefs in the region are now once again thriving with life and vibrant colors. Following a recent Read More...