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.
CITES convention is gearing up to protect dozens of species of sharks and rays
This week, representatives from 180 countries meet for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). A landmark achievement of this most recent convention is the potential protection of a dozen species of sharks and rays, including the world’s fastest shark, the mako Read More...
Restoration groups use permaculture to rebuild in the wake of the Camp Fire
One year after the Camp Fire destroyed 90 percent of homes in the small Northern California town of Paradise, community members are rallying behind the regenerative nature of permaculture to rebuild their town. Permaculture is an agricultural technique which uses regenerative resources to create a Read More...
This giant dump truck runs on electricity and doesn’t require charging
While electric vehicles are quickly proliferating throughout the world, most electric engines are still relegated to smaller vehicles. The serious work, some argue, is still done by gas-guzzling diesel engines. But then there's the Elekto Dumper—the world's largest EV—which flouts the rule that Read More...
9 ways you can help the Amazon rainforest during the fires and beyond
For all of us keeping an eye on the horrific fires that are burning down large swaths of the Amazon rainforest, it’s easy to feel absolutely powerless. After all, there’s basically no way to stop the fires yourself without hopping on a plane and flying to Brazil with a firehose. With that said, Read More...
These experimental homes represent the future of low-cost housing in Mexico
In the desert-like climate of Hidalgo, Mexico, a community of quirky, experimental housing has been constructed, with each house built by a different architect or studio. The idea behind the community was to motivate architects to develop new construction techniques, water-saving systems, and Read More...
Eggs harvested from the last two northern white rhinos may save the species
There are only two surviving northern white rhinos in the world, both of which are female and infertile. While this situation might indicate the end of the species, scientists have recently gotten one step closer towards preventing that by turning to advanced reproductive technologies for Read More...
This scientific breakthrough could save America’s biggest coral reef
Like Australia, the US has its own “Great Barrier Reef”, lying just off the coast of the Florida Keys. It’s the third-largest coral reef in the world, and it’s in serious danger. As the temperature of the oceans continues to rise, the corals are dying off at an unprecedented rate. If Read More...
Toy manufacturer Hasbro is on a mission to cut plastic from all its packaging
If you’ve ever bought your child a toy, you know they’re typically made of plastic and packaged in plastic, which is no fun for the planet. That’s why it’s good news that Hasbro, one of the biggest toy manufacturers in the world, is getting set to eliminate plastics from its packaging. Read More...
Peru pledges to end palm oil-driven deforestation by 2021
Palm oil is literally everywhere – in our foods, cosmetics, cleaning products and fuels. And, while being a source of huge profits for multinational corporations, our palm oil consumption has devastating consequences for the environment – from displacing indigenous people and critically Read More...
Autonomous oil spill boat can aid disaster mitigation without human crew onboard
Oil spills can spell big trouble for the environment, and efficient and swift response is critical in trying to contain the problem. In the not-too-distant future, folks dealing with such incidents may have a robotic helper to call on, with Boston’s Sea Machines Robotics successfully Read More...