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 spreading rock dust on farmland could remove massive amounts of CO2
Researchers are clear that cutting the fossil fuel burning that releases carbon dioxide is the most important action needed to tackle the climate emergency. But climate scientists also agree that, in addition, massive amounts of CO2 need to be removed from the air to meet the Paris Agreement goals Read More...
E-waste: The ultimate guide to buying tech that actually lasts
Isn’t it strange that when we buy highly advanced gadgets like a smartphone, we only expect them to last a couple of years? At some point, we feel that we must upgrade. We must have the latest and greatest camera. We must-have apps that run faster. But here’s the thing: This is all the doing Read More...
New photos of world’s rarest great apes with babies raises hopes
The Cross River gorilla is the most endangered subspecies of gorilla, with only 300 of them known to live in the wild. But the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has raised hopes that these animals at risk of extinction are actually reproducing after many photos of the rare gorillas were captured Read More...
Birdseed is expensive. Grow it yourself with these beautiful flowers
There is a certain joy to seeing birds grace your garden and eat from the bird feeder. With that said, have you seen the price of birdseed lately? It’s expensive. In one city in the Southeast, a 50-pound bag of black oil sunflower seed costs $64.99. Fortunately, there’s a much more Read More...
Germany passes bill to phase out coal energy
Germany remains one of the most coal-reliant countries in Western Europe, but that’s all set to change after a new bill was passed in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament. The bill sets the conditions under which Germany will abandon coal as a power source in order to meet climate Read More...
Victory! Activist groups succeed in shutting 3 major oil pipelines
The cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, Dakota Access Pipeline, and Keystone XL Pipeline not only represents a major victory for the environment, but also for grassroots groups which spearheaded the opposition movement. Shutting down these pipelines demonstrates the effectiveness of Read More...
12 steps for cultivating backyard permaculture
Have you always wanted to have your own garden but thought you didn’t have enough room? Think again. With permaculture, you can have sustainability and self-reliance by creating managed ecosystems in your yard, no matter how small. In this story shared with us by an Optimist Daily Emissary, Read More...
‘Million-mile’ EV batteries are near. The impact could be massive.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have a clear environmental advantage over their gas-guzzling counterparts, but when it comes to longevity, the two are in dead heat. Two hundred thousand miles is considered a good, long run for a car built today, regardless of whether it’s powered by a lithium battery Read More...
"Anthropause": 2020 has been a great year for conservation on our roadways
Among its disastrous effects on human populations, the pandemic has offered some reprieve for the environment. We discussed how quieter cities contributed to thriving bear populations in Yosemite and blue whale gatherings off the coast of San Francisco. Although not as glamorous as other areas of Read More...
Throwing food waste in the trash is now illegal in Vermont
Vermont has long been praised as one of the greenest states in the US, and rightfully so. In 2019, the Green Mountain State passed into law the most comprehensive ban on single-use plastics in the US, setting a commendable standard for other states to follow. In 2020 a bid to further their Read More...