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.
Philadelphia is planting trees to prevent premature deaths
We’ve talked a lot about the mental and physiological benefits of time outside. One U.S. city specifically is studying these benefits and taking action to improve the health of its residents. A study found that Philadelphia could prevent 400 premature adult deaths a year by increasing its tree Read More...
“Even during social distancing, you can always time-travel back"
Although we may have a lot more time on our hands with coronavirus keeping much of society on lockdown, what should we do with all that time when we can’t go to the places and people we love? It’s a conundrum many of us are dealing with, but it’s also a question that can be answered Read More...
Wales plans to plant a new national forest running the length of the country
In the following years, the Welsh landscape is expected to benefit from a significant increase in forestry thanks to an ambitious government to plant a new national forest running the length and breadth of Wales. Backed by £15m ($18m) of woodland creation grants, the new fresh national forest Read More...
How animal rescue groups are finding homes for dogs via virtual adoptions
While much of the country is under orders to shelter at home, pet rescue groups across the country have reported skyrocketing interest in adoption and fostering. But considering that in most cities pounds and rescue groups are deemed nonessential businesses, the organizations have had to get Read More...
Sweden closes last coal plant two years ahead of schedule
Sweden celebrated the closure of its last coal plant this month and even did so two years ahead of schedule. Swedish utility company Stockholm Exergi announced the closure of the KVV6 plant on April 16. The plant first opened in 1989 and was projected to be in use until 2022, but after the Read More...
Builders are back on site to rebuild Notre Dame
After a fire engulfed Notre Dame last year, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to rebuild the 850 year old cathedral within five years. COVID-19 put a slight dent in those plans, but now the workers are back on site this week to continue the effort. The rebuilding challenges have not been Read More...
Robots are already making contact-free deliveries in some American cities
You might not see many people walking down the sidewalk in downtown Fairfax, Virginia, during the pandemic, but it’s possible that you’ll see a robot. The city is the latest to partner with Starship Technologies, a company that makes small delivery robots and now operates a fleet of 20 in Read More...
These birds are helping endangered rhinos avoid trouble
Red-billed oxpeckers hitching rides on the backs of black rhinos are a common sight in the African bush. The birds are best known for feeding on pesky parasites found on a rhino’s skin. Now, new research suggests the birds may also serve as sentinels that help the endangered animals avoid humans, Read More...
Scuba divers are using ocean plastic to make face masks
While some people are heading outside in snorkeling masks as makeshift protection, a group of scuba divers is using their social distancing time to help people and the oceans. They're making face masks from plastic water bottles recovered from the oceans, as CNN reported. The masks are made by Read More...
Mangrove trees can protect vulnerable coastal communities from hurricanes
Climate change is making the impact of hurricanes and other storms more dangerous—and more expensive. As the costs loom over coastlines across the globe, vulnerable communities are looking for new ways to mitigate the economic impact. A promising approach would be to use existing natural habitats Read More...