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.
A designer in Chile has created an algae-based alternative to single-use packaging
Disappointed by the abundance of non-recyclable materials currently used to contain food products, a Chilean designer has created a sustainable, biodegradable alternative using raw material extracted from algae. According to the designer, the material only includes natural matter, including the Read More...
New poll shows more Americans than ever believe in climate change
Despite President Trump continuously denying the existence of climate change, more and more Americans are saying that climate change is real. According to a new poll, Americans who think global warming is taking place right now outnumber those who think it isn’t by a 5-to-1 ratio. The new numbers Read More...
The Autobahn may soon have speed limits in order to curb emissions
Germany may soon trade unlimited thrills for lower emissions. That’s right, German lawmakers have set forth a proposal that may soon cap speeds on the Autobahn, which is legendary for having segments with no speed limits. The proposal would also scrap tax breaks for diesels, raise fuel taxes by Read More...
Nevada City is turning to goats to prevent the spread of wildfires
After the ravaging wildfires that have laid waste over hundreds of acres of Californian land last year, Nevada City wants to recruit goats to help it prevent such devastating damage occurring again. The town has launched a crowdfunding scheme called #goatfundme to raise $30,000 to be able to Read More...
Six great lessons we can learn from the campaign that saved the ozone
Thirty years ago, all 197 countries got together to ban the gases damaging the Earth’s ozone layer. Now we need to unite to combat an even greater threat, which raises the question: what can we learn from Read More...
Nepal’s tiger population nearly doubles due to wildlife conservation efforts
The number of tigers roaming Nepal’s southern region has doubled since the country signed the 2010 Tiger Conservation Plan. Wildlife groups and conservationists have welcomed the news as a sign that political involvement and innovative conservation strategies can reverse the decline of the Read More...
New scientific finding could help stop global decline in bee populations
After carefully investigating the main causes behind the drastic decline in global bee populations, researchers have finally managed to wrap their head around why the pollinators have become so vulnerable to pesticides in recent years. The study has unveiled that the main problem is actually tiny Read More...
Tanzanian government offers special protection status to one of its forests
The government of Tanzania has granted special protection status to one of its forests after research showed that it was on the brink of destruction. The woodland is home to a recently discovered species of chameleon and threatened animals including bush babies and elephants. The environmental Read More...
The plastic-free businesses are thriving amid the global environmental crisis
While many consumers are changing their personal relationships with single use plastics, bringing a reusable bag to the grocery store can feel futiIe in the face of the globe's consumption of 300 million metric tons of plastic each year. In the wake of the global anxiety about climate change, an Read More...
Country diary: what happens when nature takes back control
About 15 years ago livestock grazing ceased in this field, on the southern edge of Blaid’s Wood, two miles south of the city center. An aerial invasion from wind-borne tree seeds followed, and ash, silver birch, alder, and willow seedlings appeared everywhere. The bird-sown seed of bramble, Read More...