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.
Holy cow! Rotterdam is now home to the world’s first floating dairy farm
In 2018, we wrote about a Dutch firm that was planning to create a floating dairy farm that sits on the Maas river in Rotterdam. Well, now it’s actually here: a floating dairy farm where sustainably-sourced milk and dairy products are produced for locals. While the ethics of hosting a bunch of Read More...
Interpol just rescued thousands of animals following global sting operation
A sting operation like none other took place this week as global police and customs officials cracked down on the biggest wildlife trafficking ring the world has ever seen. The giant environmental crime operation involved 109 countries and resulted in nearly 2,000 seizures of protected wildlife, Read More...
Scientists have discovered a way to spot faulty bridges using satellites
On August 14, 2018, a section of the Morandi Bridge that linked the Sampierdarena and Cornigliano districts in Genoa, Italy, collapsed during a torrential rainstorm, sending about 35 cars and three trucks down into the Polcevera river. The cause of the collapse isn't entirely clear, but it appears Read More...
Elephant and rhino populations rebound in Tanzania after crackdown on poaching
Iconic African animals including elephants and rhinos have long been targeted by organized criminal networks that are feeding an insatiable demand for ivory and rhino horn in Asian countries. But strategic anti-poaching government action may just be key to tackling the problem. In Tanzania, for Read More...
Could lab-grown meat help save the planet?
While the market for plant-based meat alternatives is exploding, there’s another alternative to farm-raised meat that could soon become a staple of your local supermarket: lab-grown meat. While companies vary in exact details, broadly speaking “lab-grown meat” refers to a method of making Read More...
Virgin has found a way to make satellite launches more eco-friendly
If you haven’t already heard, Virgin Orbit successfully dropped a 70-foot rocket from a modified Boeing 747 jumbo jet at 35,000 feet. Although that sounds more like a dreadful occurrence that would happen during a war, it’s actually a good thing. Here’s why. Currently, launching a satellite Read More...
Feed your brain by paying attention to the symbolisms of your daily commute
You’ve probably heard the advice to change up your commute now and then as a way to take your brain off of autopilot and give your synapses a little exercise. Here’s another activity that might feed your grey matter: try contemplating the symbolism embedded in the modes of transportation you Read More...
To solve the climate crisis, we need a World Carbon Bank
Despite all the needless waste being produced by America, the sad truth is that emerging Asia is by far the main driver of the world’s growing carbon dioxide emissions right now. So, how do we stop this endless flow of emissions? One way would be to establish the right incentives for countries Read More...
Taking a flight out of France in the future? Expect an ecotax starting 2020
Travelers looking to take a flight out of France will be charged an extra little fee starting in 2020. The good news—for the environmentalists— is that the fee is an “ecotax” to help combat the negative effects that the aviation industry has on the climate. The tax will vary depending on Read More...
Immigrants need our help. Here’s what you can do
America has long been called the Land of Opportunity, and with such an honorable name, it shouldn’t be a surprise that families from less developed countries migrate to the US in search of better opportunities. But unfortunately in the US, the climate surrounding immigrants is hostile, and the Read More...