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.
Stripe customers can now donate directly to carbon capture projects
If we want to spare the Earth of runaway climate change, we must not only dramatically cut down on emissions, but also remove greenhouse gasses that already exist within our atmosphere. And while carbon capture technologies could play a big role in this, many of these technologies have yet to be Read More...
This self-driving ferry in Norway can be hailed with the push of a button
Water transportation is voyaging into the future after a Norwegian company announced it will launch a zero-emission ferry next year that is fully autonomous. Operating in a similar fashion to an elevator, passengers will be able to call the ferry to their location by simply pressing a button. The Read More...
This startup produces rocket fuel using captured carbon
The fuel needed to launch a rocket into space creates a whole lot of emissions. In fact, each SpaceX launch is estimated to emit 715 tons of CO2, which is roughly as much as 10 cross-country flights on a 747. As spaceflights become more common, there is a need for a more sustainable source of fuel. Read More...
Japanese businesses launch digestible packaging to save local wild deers
After a number of wild deers in Japan’s ancient capital of Nara died last year as a result of eating plastic waste discarded by tourists, concerned local companies quickly stepped in to help protect the iconic animals. In a joint effort, several local businesses partnered up to develop bags that Read More...
Population of endangered leopard species rebounds in China
As a result of poaching and increasing loss of habitat, leopard populations have experienced a global decline in recent years. But that’s not the case for the big cats in the Loess Plateau, northern China, where numbers of the North Chinese leopard subspecies have increased, according to recent Read More...
10 tasty alternatives to deli meats for your sandwiches
When you need to whip up a last-minute lunch for your kids, deli meats can seem like a savior. Just slap a slice of ham on bread, add some cheese, mustard, and lettuce, and you’re good to go. But for all the convenience that comes with deli meats, there are downsides for the health of your child Read More...
Marine scientists discover coral reef taller than the Empire State Building
The charted world of the undersea has just gotten a bit richer in color, thanks to marine scientists in Australia who have recently discovered a detached coral reef more than 500 meters high at the Great Barrier Reef. The “blade-like” vertical reef, which is taller than the Empire State Read More...
In pandemic silence, scientists can finally hear endangered dolphins
Previous recordings of Burrunan dolphin communication were broken up with the noise of passing boats traveling across the dolphins’ Gippsland Lakes habitat. During pandemic lockdowns, however, scientists were able to record the uninterrupted sounds of the endangered dolphins for the very first Read More...
Why developers should ditch gas and build all-electric homes
The residential construction sector is booming during the coronavirus pandemic as more Americans dream of having a bit more space. As developers build new homes, a recent report from a clean energy think tank illustrates how developers can keep energy costs and climate impacts down in these new Read More...
6 tips to keep your houseplants thriving during the colder months
The summer has passed and you’ve kept your houseplants alive during the hottest months of the year. Bravo! Now we’re entering the darker, colder half of the year, which means you need a new strategy for keeping your lovely houseplants in tip-top shape. With that in mind, here are six tips Read More...