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.
Chicago's bike path expansion keeps city on track for a sustainable future
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF Chicago is preparing to drastically improve its bicycle infrastructure, with plans to build about 47 miles of new bikeways in 2024 alone. This effort is part of a larger pledge to build 150 miles of new and enhanced bikeways over the next few years, Read More...
Air pollution down 40%: a look at a pedestrianized Paris
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Paris will seem very different from how it did ten years ago when the Summer Olympics roll around this summer. Since 2014, Mayor Anne Hidalgo has led a substantial makeover in Paris aimed at reducing vehicle dependence and encouraging greener urban living. Read More...
Lightning season safety: important tips for staying safe during thunderstorms
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF As the warm weather tempts people outside for barbecues, beach trips, and ballgames, it's important to remember that summer is also lightning season. Every year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 37 million times, taking an average of 21 Read More...
How greenhouse-grown cotton can transform the denim industry
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The fashion industry has long struggled to source cotton in a sustainable way. While Patagonia, Citizens of Humanity, and Christy Dawn have embraced regenerative agriculture, Dutch denim company G-Star Raw is looking into a new alternative: greenhouse-grown Read More...
Shasta Tribe finally reclaims ancestral lands long buried by Klamath River Reservoir
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a historic effort, the Shasta Indian Nation stands to regain nearly 2,800 acres of ancestral grounds buried by the Copco I dam on the Klamath River. This important return coincides with California Governor Gavin Newsom's apology to the state's tribes, Read More...
Alberta shuts down its last coal plant, ushering in a new energy era
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF Alberta reached a historic milestone by closing its last specialized coal plant. On Sunday, June 16th at 10:57 p.m., Capital Power's Genesee 2 facility shut down, marking the end of the province's coal era. According to the Alberta Electric System Operator Read More...
Insect migration: the hidden superhighway of the Pyrenees
Insects, while frequently disregarded, are critical to the planet's ecosystems. They make up about 90 percent of all animal species and play important functions in both ocean and land ecosystems. Without them, life on Earth could be severely disrupted. New research from the University of Exeter has Read More...
Attention gardeners! Here's how to prepare your garden for summer heat waves
With record-breaking heat waves forecast in the United States this summer, maintaining a healthy garden might be a problem. But don't worry—by taking a few simple steps, you can ensure your plants survive even when the temperatures rise. First and foremost, if you're just getting started with Read More...
As the weather warms up, here's how to help animals handle a heatwave
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF Right now, much of Europe and North America are experiencing ongoing heatwaves with record-breaking temperatures. It’s not just humans that are struggling to cope. Yes, it’s getting hot in here—but taking off a sweater, jacket or shirt isn’t an Read More...
Why do fish swim in schools? New study reveals unexpected benefits
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF Schools of fish moving in synchrony have long captivated those lucky enough to observe this phenomenon, often appearing as a single, synchronized organism. A recent study provides insight into one of the primary advantages of this behavior: swimming in Read More...