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.
EVs greatly outsold gas-powered cars in Norway last year
Only when people start purchasing more electric vehicles than gas-powered ones can we truly say that the EV revolution is underway. Although the US still has a long way to go until that point is reached, there is one country where more than half of all cars sold are electric: Norway. According to Read More...
Startup transforms 32m discarded chopsticks into sleek household items
Have you ever wondered what happens to the chopsticks we carelessly throw away after using them only once? Well, unsurprisingly, the vast majority of them end up in landfills, further contributing to the unsurmountable pile of waste burdening waste management capacities. In a bid to instead give Read More...
Korean student creates colorful stools out of used face masks
One of the most unfortunate side-effects of the coronavirus pandemic is the massive amount of waste coming from disposable face masks. According to one estimate, the world goes through 129 billion single-use face masks each month during the pandemic. In an attempt to turn this ecological disaster Read More...
This bike wheel filters and purifies outdoor air while you cycle
Wouldn’t it be great if you could help improve the air quality in your city just by cycling on its streets? Soon you might actually be able to do that thanks to a brilliant invention called Rolloe. Created by Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) 2020 award winner Kristen Tapping, Rolloe is an Read More...
Scientists identified 503 new animal species in 2020
While 2020 was most definitely a year of uncertainty, scientists at London’s Natural History Museum were certainly pleased to wrap up the year by announcing that, over the last 12 months, they’ve identified a total of 503 new species belonging to almost all kingdoms of life. As a result of Read More...
Scientists use 3D printer to create fungus-based soundproofing material
When it comes to producing acoustic insulation, the materials typically used are synthetic or mineral-based materials. While these materials are effective, they are not easily recyclable and the production process is usually quite energy-intensive. In search of a greener alternative, Read More...
Why sea otters may soon return to the San Francisco Bay
The San Francisco Bay is home to rolling fog, ferry boats, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Soon, the bay may be home to something new: sea otters. The species, once hunted to near extinction, has now rebounded to 3,000 and conservationists are looking for new habitats to allow the population to Read More...
Indonesians celebrate new year by clearing 30 tons of plastic off a beach
During the monsoon season each year, large amounts of trash and debris wash up onto Bali’s Kuta Beach. The litter is a serious issue and draws attention to our mounting single-use plastic crisis, but the community’s response to the trash is also inspiring. This year, locals got together for Read More...
Buddhist children’s books are inspiring young environmentalists in Taiwan
Since the 1990s, Taiwan has worked on an ambitious environmental preservation plan, including instituting a highly effective recycling system that repurposes 20 percent more waste than the US. The country has embraced education, especially at the elementary school level, as a key component to Read More...
These giant crabs could help protect coral reefs in the Caribbean
In addition to climate change-induced bleaching, Caribbean coral reefs are also plighted by seaweed overgrowth, which covers up the corals, shading them from light and preventing young corals from growing. As scientists are looking for ways to save these lush ecosystems, a team of researchers from Read More...