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.
Why we need to skip the jargon when discussing climate change
When it comes to climate change, there’s a plethora of interchangeable jargon such as “net-zero” and “circular” being used to describe and explain what’s going on. And according to a new study out of Ohio State University, all this jargon could be a stumbling block for fostering Read More...
Fayetteville is proving climate resilience is for all towns big and small
CDP, an international nonprofit that examines climate risk for hundreds of local governments and corporations across the globe, released their latest A list earlier this month. One of the top 34 cities praised for their climate preparedness and commitment to climate action was Fayetteville. You Read More...
These bricks are made almost entirely from construction waste
Producing the materials that construction companies typically use is often energy-intensive and generates lots of emissions. That’s why there’s a whole slew of companies looking to create a sustainable version of standard building materials. In Scotland, a new startup has launched called Read More...
New York is enlisting Billy Idol to stop drivers from idling
Cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles are the source of 11 percent of fine particulate air pollution and 28 percent of nitrogen oxide pollution in New York City. On Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced a new initiative to try to make a dent in that pollution by harnessing the star power of, Read More...
Alphabet launches new project to protect our oceans
Alphabet (Google’s parent company) is famous for its ambitious projects, but its latest mission might be the biggest of all: protecting the sea and its aquatic inhabitants. The new project, which is called Tidal, is starting with a camera system that can help fish farmers monitor and, Read More...
Research shows wilderness is vital for our urban spaces
Taking a walk through the woods, going camping, or even just stepping outside for a deep breath of fresh air reminds us of the restorative feeling that comes with time outdoors. We at The Optimist Daily talk a lot about the mental and physical health benefits of time in nature. Now, researchers at Read More...
Parents can now compost baby diapers through this subscription service
Disposable diapers, though a blessing for convenience, have been a blight on the environment; in the United States alone, an average of 20 billion disposable diapers are tossed into the trash annually, and they take about 500 years to decompose. Now parents have another option: shipping their Read More...
Huge win for climate activists as Heathrow airport expansion ruled illegal
Heathrow airport outside of London is one of the busiest airports in the world, with 80 million passengers going through it each year. So when plans were announced to construct a third runway that would bring in 700 more planes per day, it was no surprise that environmentalists were outraged (and Read More...
Old EV batteries could serve new energy purpose after they reach their end
In the last couple of years, the number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) being sold worldwide has been growing at a promising rate, and that’s good news for the environment. The problem, however, is that when these cars reach the end of the road, they are expected to leave their old batteries behind as Read More...
Plant-based meat sandwiches will be available in Canadian Starbucks stores
From pumpkin spice lattes to frappuccinos, Starbucks is famous for its signature menu items. Next week, a fake meat meal will join the menu as the coffee giant unveils its Beyond Meat breakfast sandwich in stores across Canada. Earlier this year, Starbucks announced its new corporate Read More...