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.
How wood became the hottest, most sustainable building material
Architects, builders, and sustainability advocates are all abuzz over a new building material they say could substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the building sector, slash the waste, pollution, and costs associated with construction, and create a more physically, psychologically, Read More...
It’s now prohibited to sell cosmetics tested on animals in California
With the turn of the decade, an old senate bill passed in 2018 will finally come into effect in California to regulate the current cosmetics market. The bill, known as the California Cruelty-free Cosmetics Act, is designed to protect the wellbeing of animals used for testing cosmetic Read More...
Ikea’s new Vienna location features vertical forests and public transportation access
Last week we shared a story about how Ikea is moving towards becoming climate positive by 2030. This week we feature the plans for their new Vienna store, which will look a lot different than any Ikea before. In fact, the new urban shopping destination will feature vertical forests and no parking Read More...
Firefighters saved an ancient grove of pine trees from Australian bushfires
Amidst the heart-rending wildfires blazing through Australia's vast lands, there is good news coming from the only forest in the world that is home to the Wollemi pine tree--one of the oldest trees in the world. In a covert firefighting mission, this ancient grove of pine trees whose ancestors are Read More...
Colgate releases vegan-certified toothpaste line in recyclable packaging
Good news for your teeth and the planet! Colgate has released its new “Smile for Good” toothpaste line which features a certified vegan recipe packaged in a fully recyclable tube. Traditional toothpaste contains glycerin, a byproduct of animal fat, and is packaged in plastic which can take Read More...
Microsoft on a mission to capture all the carbon it’s ever emitted
When companies buy carbon offsets and call themselves carbon-neutral, it feels like a bit of a cop-out. The fact is they still produce emissions and use the money they make while creating those emissions to fund projects that absorb carbon. But until companies find ways to actually make their Read More...
Minimize the microfibers your clothing sheds with short, cool laundry cycles
One of the best ways to stop microfibers (including plastic) from going down the drain when you do the laundry is by tossing a Cora Ball into your washing machine, which collects our microfibers into fuzz we can see, so we can dispose of them right away. With that said, there’s another way to Read More...
This startup is restoring charred forests using tree-planting drones
Forest fires can occur naturally, cleaning away excess undergrowth and making way for new trees to take root. But circumstances like climate change and forest monocultures are exacerbating the problem. And while "acres burned" makes headlines, "acres replanted" struggles to keep up. The arduous Read More...
These parasite sniffing dogs are saving Florida orange groves
Florida’s iconic citrus groves have been a symbol of the state for generations. That's why it's extra sour that the future of the crop is in danger due to an agricultural parasite. Fortunately, canine helpers may be able to save the day. Huanglongbing, or HLB, is a bacterium that prevents Read More...
New study finds reconnecting with nature can trigger ‘greener’ behavior
Yesterday we published a story about a new study that found that people’s climate change beliefs change for the better when they witness their neighbor’s installing solar panels. Today, we present you with a similar type of study coming out of England, which looked at the link between exposure Read More...