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.
The public now has a direct say on climate matters in Washington state
Oftentimes it feels like regular citizens have little to no say in national or state-level politics. That’s why we’re excited to share news out of Washington state where a new assembly is being formed that will allow 80 randomly-selected members of the public to have a direct say on climate Read More...
Student science project convinces school district to switch to electric buses
Miami-Dade County Public Schools will convert all their diesel school buses to all-electric models by the end of 2021. This change has great environmental and public health benefits, but it wouldn't have happened without the help of Holly Thorpe, a local middle school student. Thorpe created a Read More...
A look into Piñatex, the alt-leather made from pineapple leaves
While working in the Philippines during the 1990s, Spanish leathergoods expert Dr. Carmen Hijosa grew horrified at the environmental impact of leather production. The problem for her was that she didn’t approve of petroleum-based alternatives either. In search of a better alternative, Hijosa Read More...
Sweden to build reindeer bridges so the animals can safely cross highways
Sweden’s reindeer typically rely on lichens for food, which are buried beneath the snow. But in recent years, the animals have been increasingly struggling to feed themselves as a result of global warming. This is because warmer temperatures mean more rain instead of snow. When the air freezes, a Read More...
Executive order shuts down construction of Keystone XL pipeline
In a major win for Native American tribes and environmental activists, an executive order was signed last week to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline permit and shut down the construction of the pipeline immediately. This may be the final chapter in what has become a notorious political game of Read More...
This eco-friendly Grow it Yourself Helmet is made from mycelium and hay
As designers are looking for ways to sever their ties with plastic, mycelium has been receiving increasing attention lately as a viable eco-friendly alternative. In fact, experts have been experimenting with the fungus-derived material for everything from construction materials and fashion to Read More...
How the US Treasury can promote a greener economic future
As the new U.S. Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen will have to navigate the US economy not only through the devastation of the pandemic, but also towards a more sustainable future. Rachel Kyte, Dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University and former World Bank vice president, has shared key areas Read More...
These tiny parking lots infill homes are eco-friendly and affordable
We recently wrote about the potential to transform commercial spaces into affordable residential housing in California. Today, we share another innovative housing solution, this time from Sydney, Australia. Architect Brad Swartz is helping his neighbors turn underused parking spaces into cozy Read More...
Design studio turns crop field into dynamic light show to boost growth
The Netherlands is a relatively tiny country, which is why it may come as a surprise to you that the Netherlands is the second-largest producer of vegetables in the whole world. The central reason for this is that the Dutch have long been pioneers in using highly efficient farming techniques that Read More...
New algorithm can count elephant populations via satellite images
For decades, the best way for conservationists to monitor threatened elephant populations has been via an aircraft survey. The problem is that elephant populations live in habitats that span international borders, which can make it difficult to obtain permission for aircraft surveys. Not to mention Read More...