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.
UK wildlife sees wild white stork hatchlings for the first time in centuries
In European folklore, the stork often symbolizes the birth of a new baby, but for centuries the wild white stork in the UK has failed to have babies itself. That is, until now. In what comes as great news for wildlife in the UK, wild white stork chicks have recently hatched in the UK for the Read More...
Could a trash-to-hydrogen plant realize the dream of green hydrogen fuel?
Hydrogen fuel has seemingly fallen off the radar considering all the hype that surrounded this potentially sustainable fuel source in past years. Other than a blatant lack of infrastructure, a big problem with hydrogen fuel is that we haven’t figured out a way to produce hydrogen fuel in a clean, Read More...
The EU is committing big money to boosting biodiversity in Europe
We have fantastic news from the climate front in Europe. This week, the European Commission has committed to protecting 30% of the EU’s land and oceans by 2030 as part of the European Green Deal, in a plan tentatively welcomed by environment groups who warned far-reaching ambitions must not only Read More...
Humpback whales are enjoying a remarkable recovery
Known to be the longest migratory mammals on the planet and some of the ocean’s most remarkable singers, the humpback whale is probably the world’s most recognizable whale. It turns out, however, that the mammal is also one of the best instances of successful conservation efforts. Many humpback Read More...
This pack of dogs has saved 45 rhinos from poachers since 2018
Poachers in Kruger National Park pose a serious threat to rhino populations and even the rangers that protect them. But thanks to a pack of trained dogs introduced to the park in 2018, 45 rhinos have been saved from the prying hands of poachers. The use of dogs to protect rhino populations was Read More...
Pledge completed: UC Berkeley has now fully divested from fossil fuels
The University of California announced Tuesday that it has fully divested from all fossil fuels, making it the nation’s largest educational institution to do so as campaigns to fight climate change through investment strategies proliferate at campuses across the country. The UC milestone capped Read More...
Forget dressers, IKEA wants you to build a bee house
The task of building IKEA furniture has been challenging newlyweds and college students for years. In 2020, the company started offering a new challenge to customers: building bee habitats. IKEA’s research and design lab, SPACE10, has partnered with European design studio Bakken & Bæck, Read More...
A previously extinct bird species has re-evolved itself back from the dead
A once-extinct species of bird has re-evolved back into existence and returned to the island it once colonized thousands of years ago. The Aldabra white-throated rail was reportedly wiped out around 136,000 years ago when the island it called home submerged under the ocean due to rising sea Read More...
A rare Pygmy hippo birth has taken place at the San Diego Zoo
Pygmy hippos are an endangered species native to the rivers and streams of West African forests. Less than 2,500 pygmy hippos live in the wild in Africa, but fortunately, a number of zoos around the world are caring for and breeding these curious creatures. Recently, the San Diego Zoo saw its Read More...
Critically endangered turtles hatch in record numbers in Philippine village
Hawksbill sea turtles are a critically endangered species of sea turtle, with its population declining by as much as 80 percent in the past decade. In the Philippines, this turtle species is among the most trafficked on the black market due to its sought-after shells. Recently, however, Read More...