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.
EU passes measures to ban single-use plastics by 2021
The European Union has decided to ban single-use plastics in its member states by 2021 in an effort to reduce marine litter. The ban will include throw-away plastics such as cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, and polystyrene cups. In regards to other plastic items, the focus will be on limiting Read More...
Scientists develop a new efficient method of capturing CO2 from power plants
Scientists have unveiled an efficient method to turn CO2 emissions from power plants into fuel that could be used for running cars, planes, as well as multi-purpose chemical feedstock. The carbon-capturing technique involves a membrane made from hybrid materials that can absorb enormous quantities Read More...
Agriculture is a big climate problem—now farmers are sharing solutions
Hans Herren began his farm as a hobby almost 20 years ago. He’s been planting grapes and growing apple orchards on an 11-acre plot of land near Napa Valley in Read More...
Start-up to revolutionize the concrete industry by making it more sustainable
A North Carolina based start-up is working on revolutionizing one of the major contributors to CO2 emissions - the concrete industry. The material is second only to water as the most consumed resource on Earth, and its key ingredient - cement - is the sources of about 8 percent of the world’s Read More...
Indigenous leader urges EU to impose sanctions on Brazil
Brazil’s foremost indigenous leader has called on the EU to impose trade sanctions to prevent ecological disaster and “social extermination” by her country’s far-right president-elect, who takes office on 1 January. Jair Bolsonaro has terrified indigenous communities by promising to take Read More...
Supermarket in the UK to ban glitter from all own-brand products by 2020
Waitrose, one of the major supermarket chains in the UK, plans to ban glitter from its own products by 2020 over environmental concerns. The supermarket announced that it will try to find new ways to add sparkle to items such as greeting cards, wrapping paper, and floral displays that do not have Read More...
Negotiators reach climate agreement to implement Paris pact
Delegates from almost 200 countries have managed to come to an agreement regarding a range of measures to help tackle climate change and bring the Paris pact to life. The summit accord outlined plans for a common rulebook for all countries to ensure their promises to cut carbon emissions and Read More...
Dutch build artificial islands to bring wildlife back
Dutch ranger Andre Donker sighs as he looks out at the rippling grey waters of the Markermeer, one of Europe's largest freshwater lakes. "Once upon a time it was teeming with fish here," he Read More...
Small and isolated habitat patches crucial to species survival
Small, local patches of habitat could be playing a much bigger role in conserving biodiversity than you think, according to new research. The global study just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences looked at the conservation values of vegetation patches in 27 countries on Read More...
This company pulls carbon from the air, aiming to avert a climate catastrophe
At a major climate meeting in Poland, nearly 200 countries are trying to reach a deal on dramatically reducing carbon emissions. But a recent U.N. report found that may not be enough to avoid dangerous impacts from the warming climate. In fact, the world is falling so far short of what's needed, it Read More...