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.
Pope Francis calls on international community to speed up renewable energy transition
Pope Francis, in a 7,000-word "Apostolic Exhortation," called on climate change deniers and hesitant politicians to expedite the world's transition to renewable energy. His speech, "Laudate Deum" (Praise God), emphasizes the importance of combating climate change before it's too late. Recognizing Read More...
Empowered youth launch 'Green New Deal for Schools' to combat climate change
In response to rising ecological concerns and political repression, students across the United States are leading a bold movement known as the 'Green New Deal for Schools.' This program, spearheaded by the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led climate justice collective, is laying the groundwork for a Read More...
What is PALM-ALT? A healthier and more eco-friendly alternative to palm oil
The global need for palm oil, a common ingredient in food and cosmetics, has long been a source of worry due to its association with deforestation. PALM-ALT, a Scottish research team from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, believes it has discovered the code to a sustainable alternative. The Read More...
California joins the right-to-repair revolution
On September 12th, the California state Assembly passed Senate Bill 244 with a unanimous 50-0 vote, marking a historic milestone for the right-to-repair movement. This historic measure, which was also approved with an amazing 38-0 vote in the California Senate in May, now needs a final concurrence Read More...
A bold step towards climate action and job creation: The American Climate Corps
The White House announced the creation of the American Climate Corps, a breakthrough program that will transform the climate action landscape. This ambitious project seeks to employ 20,000 people in its first year, paving the way for environmental sustainability, resilience, and economic Read More...
The Supreme Court of Brazil upholds indigenous land rights: a victory for conservation
Brazil's Supreme Court maintained Indigenous communities' land rights in a landmark decision, putting an end to the prospect of potential rollbacks on these critical safeguards. The court's judgment, made after reviewing a lawsuit filed by the state of Santa Catarina, represents a landmark victory Read More...
Rhino conservation success: Global populations surge to 27,000
In an encouraging turn of events, the worldwide rhinoceros population has defied the odds and demonstrated astonishing indications of recovery. These magnificent species, which once numbered approximately 500,000 in Africa and Asia in the twentieth century, have suffered grave threats from poaching Read More...
How swimmable cities could change the face of urban cooling
DECEMBER 21ST, 2023 UPDATE: This solution is a Reader’s Choice selection of 2023! Thank you for nominating the solutions that left you feeling optimistic this year. Swimming in floating pools in the Hudson and East Rivers was formerly a popular way for New Yorkers to escape the oppressive Read More...
Harnessing nature’s cooling power: US announces $1.13 billion investment in urban trees
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack of the United States presented a game-changing plan to address record-breaking heatwaves and climate change. This effort, which will receive $1.13 billion in competitive funding, aims to plant trees in metropolitan areas across all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Read More...
A massive solar farm rises from a former landfill in the United Kingdom
The Ockendon solar farm, the third largest of its kind in the UK, is harnessing the power of the sun on what was once a bleak trash site in Essex in a revolutionary feat of eco-reinvention. The waste management company Veolia infused new life into this unexpected environment, where more than Read More...