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.
New catalyst unlocks industrial chemicals for making plastics from biomass
While most of us are keeping our eye on the transition to electric and self-driving cars and delight in how “green” the future will be, the industrial world continues to crank out billions of tons of Read More...
This has to be the world’s most-environmentally friendly chicken farm
Mass-producing farms, even those that have moved on from cages, produce extremely cheap eggs at a heavy cost to the environment and the welfare of the animals laying them. The organic and free-range varieties, where farmers prioritize the welfare of the chickens, often sell at a higher price—but Read More...
‘For us, the land is sacred’: the defenders of the world’s forests
Of the many thousands of participants at the Bonn climate conference which begins on 6 November, there will arguably be none who come with as much hope, courage and anger as the busload of indigenous leaders who have been criss-crossing Europe over the past two Read More...
The big stories behind small seeds: this man wants to save them all
The modern farm-to-table movement has renewed interest in heirloom fruits and vegetables. But long before the trend, John Coykendall has been on a mission to preserve rare heirloom seeds and document their Read More...
How the private sector is putting the Paris climate target in reach
Achieving the climate goals set in place during the Paris agreement will require more than just government. To reduce the threat of climate change, the private sector has to continue to get involved. The good thing is that the figures so far are promising, with at least one trillion dollars having Read More...
Volunteers collect acorns to restore oak groves lost in Wine Country fires
Next to vineyards, Wine Country’s most treasured sight may be its oak trees, the stately green giants that brightened the hills and valleys of the grape-growing region, at least until last month’s devastating wildfires swept through. As residents look to rebuild burned homes and communities Read More...
Better land use can achieve 30 percent of carbon cuts by 2030
As nations plan to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion, an international team of scientists has calculated just how much the natural and farmed world could contribute to future stability by absorbing ever more carbon dioxide. The answer: up to 30 percent more than anyone Read More...
Microbeads innovation can remove coral-killing chemicals from the ocean
A new report revealed that up to 14,000 tons of sunscreen washes off sunbathers and enters the world’s oceans each year. The problem is that sunscreen contains a harmful chemical that can kill coral reefs. To try and save the world’s coral reefs, a team of researchers have developed absorbent Read More...
Mangroves: A star player in the coastal protection game
It’s the lazy days of summer, and many of the folks we know are headed to the coast to spend time with family and relax. We love our coasts, from the wildlife-rich wetlands, to snorkeling reefs and relaxing beaches. But these coastal lands are under threat—and that threat is growing every Read More...
These hungry snails are guarding coastal ecosystems against climate change
Have you ever heard of the limpet? It’s a tiny snail-like herbivore that, until recently, never got the credit it deserves. Why? Because researchers are just starting to realize the essential role that limpets are playing in protecting coastal ecosystems from rising temperatures. See here how Read More...