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.
Renewable energy outpaces coal with record breaking streak
When renewable energy began to gain popularity, critics doubted whether solar, wind, and hydropower could even begin to cover the world’s energy needs. Now, we are seeing renewables hit their stride as they beat coal as the United States’ leading source of power for a record-breaking 40 days in Read More...
The pandemic has only boosted demand for plant-based meat
The market for plant-based meat was thriving before the coronavirus pandemic hit, but now its sales are reaching unprecedented levels. The reason behind the surging sales of meatless meat is twofold. On the one hand, there are spot shortages of animal products in stores, pushing customers to Read More...
This teenager made a biodegradable “plastic” out of wasted prawn shells
What were you doing as a teenager? In Australia, a teen by the name of Angelina Arora has created a bioplastic out of discarded prawn shells, a waste product of the fishing industry. Angelina, 17, first came up with the idea to create a plastic alternative a few years ago, when she was just 13. Read More...
Forested hills may soon replace seawalls in coastal communities
Seawalls have become a popular man-made defense against high tides and tsunamis, but a new study shows that carefully designed forested hills could provide similar protection while also protecting environmental health and beautifying our coastal cities. The design involves a hill covered in Read More...
Belgium welcomes new wolves as it becomes the “wolf crossroads of Europe”
Belgium is becoming “the wolf crossroads of Europe”, a conservation charity has said as it reported new sightings from France and Germany, while Flemish authorities separately announced the imminent arrival of wolf puppies. Over the weekend the charity Welkom Wolf announced that four wolves Read More...
How renewables took over the grid during the pandemic
If there has been a winner to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, it would be the solar industry. The reduction in driving, flying, and industrial activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to smog-free skies, which is proving a boon for solar energy generation. Pollution blocks solar Read More...
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...