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.
Specially designed robot can pollinate flowers just like a bee
Scientists have created a robot that uses computer vision algorithms to pollinate flowers. The robot has a specially-designed arm with a set of soft brush tips similar to a bee’s hairs which allow it to gently reach out to a flower and pollinate Read More...
An insider’s look into the climate lawsuit San Francisco and Oakland vs. Big Oil
If you hadn’t heard already, the cities of Oakland and San Francisco have taken five major oil companies to court in an effort to hold them financially responsible for their role in global warming. It’s a groundbreaking lawsuit, one that could change the way we handle companies that harm our Read More...
New map shows many old-growth forests remain in Europe
Though you might read about deep, dark woods in fairy tales, the prevailing story today is that very little European old-growth forest remains. But now a new study—and map—shows that a surprising number of these primary forests still Read More...
New polls show young conservatives care about climate change
Liberals are typically thought to be concerned with climate change, and conservatives are thought to be less so. But according to a new poll from Pew Research, that’s starting to change. While 75 percent of conservative baby boomers are in favor of offshore drilling, just 44 percent of millennial Read More...
Offsetting your emissions can be as simple as adding a penny to your purchases
The emissions from a scoop of ice cream—including everything from the cows to transportation and freezing the product—add up to roughly a quarter of a pound of carbon dioxide. Now if you buy ice cream from a Ben & Jerry’s store in London’s Soho neighborhood, the company will spend a Read More...
A new unity on solutions for climate change
Is the political climate over climate change finally changing for the better in Washington? Perhaps, if you listen to the buzz about a bipartisan effort in Congress to take action on carbon emissions from the use of coal, oil, and natural Read More...
This weed-killing robot will dramatically reduce the use of herbicides
Scientists have created robots that will be able to roll through fields and use computer vision to target and spray individual weeds as they go. This is important because it can dramatically reduce the need for herbicides by a factor of 20. Current farming methods involving spraying large amounts Read More...
Would you turn your on-street parking spot into a green space?
If you owned a townhouse, how would you feel if you could turn your on-street parking spot into whatever space you like? Residents in a particular neighborhood in The Hague are being offered just that by the city council. Citizens willing to forego on-street parking may turn their space into Read More...
Hitting toughest climate target will save world $30tn in damages, analysis shows
Almost all nations would benefit economically from keeping global warming to 1.5C, a new study Read More...
Environmentally-friendly fabric created from microbial cellulose
You may have noticed an increasing number of hangers in high street fashion outlets sporting clothing made with the environmentally conscious shopper in mind. Organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and even recycled plastics are being transformed into clothing for eco-aware fashionistas. Australia's Read More...