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.
Oregon will offer free camping at state parks for underrepresented groups
In an effort to increase camping opportunities for underrepresented groups, select Oregon State Parks will offer free yurts and cabins for disabled, LGBTQ, and POC campers this summer. The initiative was pioneered because segments of Oregon’s population do not camp or visit state parks in Read More...
Here's what the future landscape of protein production could look like
What could the future landscape of food look like? This question has seen numerous approaches in the recent year with the main concern being planet preservation. Some preach a change in our food culture shifting towards less meat consumption, while others have tried to replicate meat from Read More...
Scientists are engineering bacteria to save bees
Researchers at the University of Texas have reported in the reputable scientific journal Science that they may have developed a new method to save bees from colony collapse. The new method is unique in the sense that it requires genetically engineered bacteria to work for us. Once inserted in Read More...
Cut your food’s carbon footprint with these colorful charts
“Eat local.” It’s a recommendation you’ve probably heard before. Environmental advocates and even the United Nations have hyped a “locavore” diet as a way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the climate. The basic idea is that more transportation leads to more emissions, so you Read More...
Why safe streets are a powerful tool for combatting climate change
It’s not hard to understand why many parents don’t let their kids walk and bike to school in Los Angeles where streets are designed for the fast movement of cars. In LA, crashes are the leading cause of death for kids aged 4 to 15. To keep kids safe, parents revert to cars—even if the trip is Read More...
Newly discovered bacteria breaks down toxic soil pollutants
All animals, including humans, host a collection of friendly bacteria that help us digest food and fight infection. Such kinds of friendly microbes are also found in soil to help plants grow, cope with stress, and fight off pests. These incredible microscopic beings are also essential to Read More...
Concrete of the future may be recyclable and even biodegradable
Society has been using concrete to build infrastructure and homes for about 100 years and, throughout its long history, the process has pretty much stayed the same. But it seems concrete is set to get a makeover as the industry attempts to go greener. A few weeks ago we shared how researchers were Read More...
Say what?! A 3-year-old in Texas found a candy-pink grasshopper
Did you know grasshoppers can be bright pink? Neither did we—until this past weekend when an eye-catching story was published by an NBC affiliate in Texas. Apparently, a three-year-old discovered a bubble-gum pink grasshopper while exploring his garden in Austin, which prompted his mother to snap Read More...
How local breweries improved water quality in this Montana town
Faced with an aging water treatment plant and polluted water from ten nearby breweries disrupting treatment operations, the small town of Havre, Montana came up with a solution to use beer to its advantage. Engineering consultant Coralyn Revis figured out a plan to use the beer water runoff from Read More...
Scottish Distillery creates first “climate-positive” gin
Arbikie Distillery in Angus, Scotland claims to have created the world’s first “climate positive” gin using garden peas. The company’s Nadar Gin avoids more carbon dioxide emissions than it creates per 70cL bottle. According to the company, each bottle has a total carbon footprint of Read More...