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.
Judge restores grizzly bears' protections as endangered species
A federal judge has restored Endangered Species Act protections for grizzly bears living around Yellowstone National Read More...
Inside Oslo’s plan to go carbon neutral by 2030
On bike lanes in downtown Oslo, a logistics company is making deliveries in a vehicle that looks a little like a miniature freight train–an electric cargo bike with two boxes on the back that can carry more than 600 pounds of packages. For the delivery company, DB Schenker, the bikes are a way to Read More...
A UK supermarket chain is giving black plastic packaging the boot
Black plastic packaging is not recyclable in the UK, as it cannot be detected by the sorting systems used for plastic recycling. That’s why Lidl, a supermarket chain in the UK, has announced it will remove black plastic from its entire fruit and vegetable range by the end of the month. The move Read More...
Solving the carbon problem one blockchain at a time
Climate change is one of the most challenging collective problems the world has faced to date. Whether we will be able to curb our carbon emissions quickly enough to avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change is still very much in Read More...
How Nordic marine forests can help fight climate change
Research suggests that there are many reasons to fall in love with marine forests, even the seaweed that gets wrapped around your feet when taking a dip in the sea. In our previous article, we explored how marine forests such as kelp and eelgrass provide a two-pronged approach to help combat Read More...
Most Americans think we can save the planet and create jobs at the same time
Our current politics around climate change and the policies to address it are deeply screwed up. At a time when we need more ambition, the intransigent Republican Congress and the galoot in the Oval Office are doing Read More...
Co-op is going to replace all of its single-use plastic bags
Co-op, a popular supermarket chain in the UK, has announced plans to replace old single-use plastic bags with compostable shopping bags. The company estimates the new bags will save around 60 million plastic bags from ending up in landfills. The compostable shopping bags, which also double as Read More...
Oregon breweries have launched America’s first refillable beer bottling system
In Oregon, seven breweries are now offering beer in returnable, refillable bottles. This is terrific news considering America currently ranks last when it comes to percentage of beer sold in refillable bottles. Reusing a bottle requires 93 percent less energy than making a new container, and every Read More...
Why your hate for wasps is uncalled for
If you're like most people, you probably appreciate bees while simultaneously hating wasps. A recent survey of people from all over the world found this to be a common trend, but scientists believe this view is unfair considering wasps are just as ecologically useful as bees. Wasps also pollinate Read More...
Germany has started introducing hydrogen passenger trains to its railways
The world’s first hydrogen train is entering commercial service in Germany. Although hydrogen trains are more costly, these trains have a similar range to diesel trains but at a fraction of the emissions. Not to mention they’re much quieter than diesel trains. With Germany introducing hydrogen Read More...