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.
This new pavilion will be made of discarded oyster shells and cork
Here at The Optimist Daily, we love sharing architecture projects that put circularity front and center. The latest one we've come across involves architecture firm BakerBrown Studio, which plans to repurpose discarded lobster shells, oyster shells, and wine bottle corks to build a sustainable Read More...
Four books to help you maintain an eco-friendly life
If sustainability has been on your mind, but you’re unsure of where to start, or if you’re already on your way to more eco-friendly living and want to see if there are other ways you can incorporate greener practices, consider taking a look at these books. Each book has a slightly different Read More...
Study: Carbon labelling is more effective when it’s ubiquitous
Climate labels have been a hot topic lately as a strategy to get consumers to think more critically about the impact of their purchases. Although some critics claim these serve primarily as a marketing strategy, new research from the University of Copenhagen indicates that these labels could Read More...
Massachusetts passes sweeping climate legislation to reduce emissions
We recently shared how Massachusetts is on the verge of constructing the nation's first utility scale offshore wind farm. Now, it's continuing to expand its commitments to a post-carbon future with the passage of a sweeping climate law that will guide the Bay State towards its target of net-zero Read More...
Dutch designer creates masks that are meant to be littered
As masks have become a staple of our day-to-day look due to the pandemic, people have been getting creative with their designs. Unwilling to compromise on style, people are wearing glitter-glam masks, boldly colored masks, printed masks, and more. However, the surplus of "mask-cessories," as Read More...
Hemp-based insulation is toxin-free and continually absorbs emissions
In one Parisian apartment building, the residents rarely turn on the heat, even in the dead of winter. That’s because the walls are filled with “hempcrete,” an innovative insulation that is better for people and better for the planet. The revolutionary material doesn’t contain harmful Read More...
Project-based learning equips students to face real-world problems
The pandemic has further upended traditional teaching methods and encouraged both parents and teachers to reevaluate how students learn best. Project-based learning is an up and coming teaching approach that emphasizes solving real-world challenges through exploration and asking open-ended Read More...
These simple stickers can make fruit last longer
More than 50 percent of fresh fruit and vegetables in the US end up getting tossed. In many cases, this is due to the short shelf life of produce. We’ve previously shared the story of Santa Barbara-based startup Apeel, whose mission to reduce food waste involves an ingenious bio-coating that Read More...
Bird-friendly coffee is the next trend for caffeine-loving conservationists
In many cultures around the world, coffee is a daily staple, a social gathering point, and a workday necessity, but when it comes to sustainability, not all coffee is created equal. Now, those who want to sip on coffee with a clear conscience can look for “bird-friendly” or "shade grown" labels Read More...
Researchers learn how to maximize the benefits of purple corn
Purple tortilla chips add a fun pop of color to your appetizers or finger food spreads, but the benefits of purple corn go far beyond just aesthetics. Purple corn contains a healthy pigment that, when ingested, can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease or diabetes. This pigment is Read More...