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.
Successful conservation efforts offer glimmer of hope for the African black rhino
Wildlife in Africa is celebrating an important win as the numbers of African back rhinos in the wild have risen by several hundred, which is a rare boost for a species driven to near extinction by poaching. While challenges remain to protect these majestic creatures, the small increase – an Read More...
How to make a spring garden that is resilient to climate change
With springtime in the air and the days getting longer, you may well be daydreaming about your garden or flower bed and the quiet weekend hours you hope to spend there in the weeks to come. But knowing what to plant as temperatures climb and precipitation patterns change around the world can be a Read More...
Climate activism continues to thrive despite the pandemic
Building on the success of last September’s worldwide climate strikes, which saw 8 million people take to the streets to demand action, climate activists hoped to make a big splash this April for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. But then came the coronavirus, which has put a dent into those Read More...
One benefit of COVID-19: reduced global carbon emissions
Finding the silver lining in the dark cloud of COVID-19 can be difficult, but one particular upside to the situation could be found in our skies themselves. Greenhouse gas emissions have decreased significantly and could hit their lowest level of the decade. Due to reduced industry activity Read More...
A wild tapir gave birth in Brazil for the first time in more than a century
The Atlantic Forest, which once covered more than a million square kilometers along the eastern coast of Brazil and Argentina, has been steadily sliced and diced by loggers, plantation owners, and economic development. Trees now cover just 7% to 15% of the forest’s former area, mostly in Read More...
A designer is using polluting algae from Venice to make postage stamps
Being the hotspot that it is, the Venetian Lagoon has become a filthy body of water (though that’s not the case now). Algae regularly covers the water, which isn’t a good sign of health. In a classic case of opportunism, a Spanish-Italian designer has used the polluting algae to make paper Read More...
People are finally starting to oppose freeway expansion projects
Adding lanes for “traffic relief” remains politically popular, even though we see time and time again that it doesn’t work. In Texas, they’re making “road improvements” by adding lanes and widening highways. And, like so many gigantic urban highway projects of the past, I-45’s Read More...
Judge rules against plan to log in Tongass National Forest
The Tongass National Forest on Prince of Wales Island is America’s largest national forest. The land is home to critical old-growth trees as well as vulnerable species such as the bald eagle. Fortunately, this area will continue to be protected as a judge ruled last week to prevent logging of the Read More...
England is turning its roadsides into wild gardens
In England, vast stretches of roadside have been transformed into what essentially wild gardens with low-growing flowers. Where there were once thick clumps of grass and gravel, there are now wildflowers such as black medic, birds-foot trefoil, and red clover. The whole idea behind this Read More...
Virginia’s new law demonstrates the power of green corporate voices
Yesterday we shared an article about how Virginia is the first southern state to commit to 100 percent renewable energy. Today, we take a deeper look at how companies in the state played a critical role in passing the landmark Virginia Clean Economy Act. Numerous clean energy businesses, Read More...