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.
Optimist View Special Feature: Uplifting Stories by Ione Butler
“If you want to improve your mood, a great place to start is by shifting the narrative.” - Ione Butler, Author Uplifting Stories As we all hunker down to await the end of this pandemic, connecting with our usual holiday cheer is tough. Quarantine fatigue is getting us down, but the Read More...
Report: Global emissions dropped 7 percent in 2020
Now that 2020 is finally coming to a close, we are now able to see just how impactful imposed lockdowns and restrictions were on global carbon emissions this year. According to the Global Carbon Project, the pandemic saw emissions cut by an estimated 2.4 billion metric tons, which is a 7 percent Read More...
Scientists find 20 new species in the dense forests of the Bolivian Andes
Our planet’s catalog of wildlife has just gotten more interesting thanks to an expedition into the cloud forests of the Bolivian Andes. Scientists exploring the Zongo Valley, located near the Bolivian capital of La Paz, have unveiled 20 new species and rediscovered several ones that had not been Read More...
These gas pump stickers aim to make drivers more eco-conscious
In a bid to help its residents shift away from internal-combustion engines and towards cleaner modes of transportation, Cambridge, Massachusetts, will be using gas pumps across the city as a means to do this. Now how exactly can gas stations, the existence of which is in itself a threat to our Read More...
How glacial runoff from Mt. Kilimanjaro is preserving a precious coral reef
For years, marine biologists have been searching high and low for coral refuges—areas where coral reefs have the best chance to survive warming waters due to climate change. Recently, scientists discovered an incredibly rich coral refuge off the coast of Kenya and Tanzania that is thriving, Read More...
This manifesto calls on urban designers to build for a sustainable future
With today’s rapid rate of urbanization, cities across the world are facing increasing pressure to expand their built environment. However, if we are to prevent the looming threats of the climate crisis, urban planners need to rethink the way we build our homes. A recent manifesto was written by Read More...
Bowhead whale populations have rebounded after near extinction
We shared a story in November about the remarkable return of Antarctic Blue Whales in the waters around South Georgia after a decades-long hiatus. In more good news for whales, marine scientists are reporting that bowhead whale populations have rebounded to near pre-commercial whaling numbers in US Read More...
Finding ethically-made gifts is a breeze with these tips
We all stress over finding the perfect holiday gift. Will they like it? Is it within my price range? Choosing something someone will love is one thing, but for the ethically-conscious shopper, finding a perfect gift that is also environmentally friendly and ethically-made is a whole other Read More...
Cher calls for zoo to release gorilla after 30 years of captivity in a mall
Recently, we shared a story about Cher’s successful campaign to free Kaavan, “the world’s loneliest elephant," from a life of misery in a controversial Pakistani zoo. Now, the singer is determined to save Bua Noi, a lonely gorilla that has spent almost all her life behind bars at a shopping Read More...
Santa Barbara replaces derogatory street name with beautiful alternative
We often report on bills, laws, and leaders making forward progress around the world, but often these nationwide changes start with small local initiatives. One such example this week is from Santa Barbara, California where residents said goodbye to a symbol of racism and oppression in their Read More...