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 to reopen our economies to work for people and the planet
A few weeks ago we shared a story about how Amsterdam is adopting a more sustainable doughnut model economy. Restarting our economies after COVID-19 gives us the unique opportunity to institute more sustainable and equitable economic policies. Here are some economic changes we can implement to help Read More...
Brown bear spotted in Galicia after 150 year absence
The Montaña ou Morte region of Galicia’s Ourense province is home to wild boar, wolves, and deer, but a brown bear had not been spotted in the region in 150 years. That is, until this week. The Zeitun Films production company was filming in the region and captured the images of the bear, a Read More...
Sweden to introduce off-grid communities that fully sustain themselves
To ensure that communities around the world become future-proof and resilient in the face of climate change, it’s essential to create development models that focus on sustainability, circularity, and inclusiveness. Sweden is soon to become the first country where such a model is to be put into Read More...
Minnesota scientists are making an experimental forest for a future climate
The landscape of Minnesota is changing as the climate crisis intensifies. Animals and plants that once were only found in the southern part of the state have moved north, suggesting that as the climate changes, Minnesota, by 2100, will start to resemble an environment similar to the one found in Read More...
How rebel botanists are using graffiti to name forgotten flora
The words “rebel” and “botanist” aren’t typically found in the same sentence, but recently these words have joined together to describe a new wave of people who are using street graffiti to highlight the names and importance of the diverse but downtrodden flora growing in the cracks of Read More...
Aquarium in Japan urges people to keep eels company via FaceTime
Social distancing has been tough for everyone, including a group of spotted garden eels at an aquarium in Japan. These cute aquatic creatures are naturally shy and mostly hide in the sand, but over the years, the 300 spotted garden eels at Tokyo's Sumida Aquarium have gotten used to humans Read More...
Endangered monkey population to recover thanks to a forest bridge
Endemic to the Brazilian forest, the golden lion tamarin is one of the world’s most charismatic primates. Unfortunately, the spectacular monkey is also one of the most endangered mammals on the planet. Thanks to years of persevering conservation efforts, however, the species may get back on their Read More...
How microgrids play a role in the future of food
In our Optimist View a couple of weeks ago, we discussed the critical changes that have come from previous pandemics. Food system security is an issue that demanded attention before the outbreak of COVID-19 and the virus has only exacerbated the need for real changes in our food Read More...
A major whaling company in Iceland is hanging up its harpoons for good
For decades the whale populations have been in decline, but this past year has seen a number of key developments that suggest whale populations are rebounding. In October, we published a story about southwest Atlantic humpback whales, which have returned from the brink of extinction after excessive Read More...
New excavations show that the Romans were avid recyclers
The ancient Romans are credited with many of our modern-day amenities including indoor heating, sewer systems, urban planning, and concrete. New evidence shows that they were even pioneers of recycling. A team of researchers at Pompeii discovered piles of trash outside the city walls. What Read More...