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 world’s biggest wind turbines are coming to the New England coast
America’s known for having an appreciation for all things big, so it may not be surprising that the first ‘commercial scale' offshore wind farm in the US will be home to the biggest and most powerful wind turbines the world has ever seen. The wind farm will be located 15 miles off the Read More...
Nike’s latest outdoor apparel collection puts sustainability first
When it comes to shifting the apparel industry’s polluting practices towards circularity, the onus lies on major brands to lead the green transition. That’s why we’re happy to see Nike put sustainability at the heart of its latest outdoor apparel collection. About 85 percent of the brand’s Read More...
Australia to begin nationwide “koala count” to assess population health
Although they are fluffy and sleep for about 20 hours a day, koalas are deceptively difficult to locate. Due to their elusiveness, the Australian government is deploying some new and innovative tools in their nationwide “koala count.” The Australian government is dedicating 2 million Read More...
House passes bill to protect big cats across the US
Netflix’s popular documentary series “Tiger King,” sheds light on the prolific issues surrounding wild cats kept in captivity across the US. To address the threats that captivity poses to communities and these cats, the House of Representatives has passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act. The Read More...
This company is using beer and chips to slash emissions
In a bid to drastically cut down on emissions, British snack food manufacturer Walkers is summoning the power of potato chips and beer. Yes, you read that right. What the company is doing is utilizing new technology to capture carbon dioxide from beer fermentation in a brewery, which is then Read More...
Bank of America officially says no to financing Arctic drilling
One word: Finally. Bank of America has just become the last major US financial institution to declare that they will no longer finance any oil and gas exploration in the Arctic. The decision, which was announced to Bloomberg News on Monday, comes after Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Chase, Wells Read More...
Little pygmy possum found after fears they were wiped out by bushfires
When bushfires ravaged Australia’s Kangaroo Island last year, wildlife experts were left concerned about the future of some of its threatened species, including the endemic little pygmy possum. But a recent survey conducted by local conservation groups spells good news for the fate of the tiny Read More...
These modular and breathable micro-environments make growing crops easier
Finding smarter ways to produce our food is an essential step in adapting to an increasingly volatile global agricultural system. Equipping local farmers with better, more innovative tools is one way to do this. With that in mind, Mexico City-based design studio NOS has created a new way for Read More...
Bamboo bridge seeks to help reptiles cross over busy road
In the mountainous state of Uttarakhand in India, a bridge was built across a busy road that cuts through the forest. Not for humans or cars, but rather for reptiles and other small animals. The new “Eco Bridge” is 90 feet long and made from bamboo, jute, and grass. Local officials say Read More...
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree gets a charitable new life after the holidays
We once shared how a tiny owl was rescued from the branches of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Now we have more good news as it turns out the fate of the tree itself is also quite heartwarming. Once the holiday season is done, the tree will be taken down in early January. Then, it will take on Read More...