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.
Marine life rebounded during the world wars. The same is happening now
During both world wars, the global demand for fish and seafood plummeted, forcing fishing fleets to stay at the docks while fish stocks rebounded. Now it seems a similar effect is coming into play as a result of the coronavirus crisis. The closure of restaurants and hotels, the main buyers of Read More...
Happy International Dark Sky Week! Here’s how to celebrate virtually
This week is International Dark Sky Week. Although astronomers and stargazers are not meeting up in-person this year to gaze up at our marvelous night sky, enthusiasts are still celebrating online and from the comfort of their homes. International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has put together a Read More...
Ambitious experiment aims to protect the Great Barrier Reef from bleaching
The Great Barrier Reef is facing its first mass bleaching event in five years as a result of climate change and the record ocean temperatures. In a bid to mitigate the ecosystem’s loss and protect it from warming, scientists from the University of Sydney have recently experimented with a Read More...
What does it mean for the climate when oil prices fall below $0?
As you probably heard this week, the price of oil has actually crashed below $0 for the first time in history. At a time when the world needs to transition from fossil fuels to avoid the even bigger catastrophe of climate change, what does the state of the industry mean for the climate? Some Read More...
This series will take you to the world's most ingenious homes
We at the Optimist Daily are always curious about the latest developments in architecture and design. It came to our attention that Apple TV+ has a pretty incredible documentary series out that will take you to some of the world’s most intriguing dwellings. All the episodes in the series Read More...
Endangered sea turtles are thriving on Florida’s beaches thanks to lockdown
With the coronavirus restrictions keeping humans and harmful waste off beaches, endangered leatherback turtles in Florida are expected to enjoy a disturbance-free hatching season this year. Nesting season for leatherback turtles — the world’s largest sea turtle species — is now well Read More...
This design makes social distancing at the park a beautiful thing
As city dwellers have flocked outside during the pandemic, some cities have shut down urban parks because of fears of overcrowding—at a time when people could most use the mental and physical health benefits of green space. A new design, proposed for a vacant lot in the city of Vienna, shows how Read More...
Researchers and wildlife are relishing in the quiet induced by lockdowns
With flights grounded and highways free from rumbling traffic, and a general drop in human activity, the world has gone rather quiet during the last couple of weeks. And while the resulting silence may be eerie for some, it’s an exhilarating phenomenon for others, including researchers and Read More...
New study finds fava beans are a greener substitute for soy
Many vegans and vegetarians swear by soy as a meat-free protein source, but concerns have been raised over the environmental sustainability of soybean farming. With that in mind, new research now suggests that specially-prepared fava beans may be a better alternative. Although some varieties are Read More...
This clothing brand is turning old hotel bed sheets into tailored shirts
Sometimes, being disruptive is fashionable. As for Archivist, a sustainable clothing company, its business plan counts on being disruptive in the name of fashion and corporate responsibility. With this mission, Archivist has found unique yet luxurious inspiration for a new line of tailored shirts Read More...