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.
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...
54 global cities on track to meet climate targets from the Paris agreement
Just ahead of the fifth anniversary of the landmark Paris climate agreement, a new study by the C40 cities network has some great news. A total of 54 of the world’s leading cities are on track to meet targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris agreement, which is crucial for Read More...
This two-person solar electric car has a range of 1,000 miles
Personal transportation is about to take a giant leap into the future now that US startup Aptera unveiled a three-wheeled solar electric car with a range of up to 1,000 miles on a full battery. Although the car can be fully charged via a charging cord, it won’t need that when drivers are out on Read More...
Scientists discover what could be an entirely new species of whale
While searching for a rare whale species off the coast of Mexico, a group of scientists says they have instead spotted what they believe is an entirely new species of the marine mammal. Three beaked whales were spotted breaching the water surface near the remote San Benito Islands by researchers Read More...
Scientists create first-ever map of every coral reef in the Caribbean
If we want to protect our precious coral reefs from the effects of the climate crisis, then we need to know the exact locations where protective regulations and restoration efforts should be aimed. That’s why scientists have developed the first-ever map that visualizes every single coral reef in Read More...