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.
With this simple device reforesting the planet becomes easy
We urgently need to repair the soil of our planet. Here’s a simple invention that protects seedlings from harsh arid climates and reduces the amount of water they need to thrive—and boosts their survival rate by as much as 80 Read More...
Your next set of tires could be made of tomato waste and egg shells
One of the key elements of a tire is carbon black, a filler that adds durability to the rubber. The substance isn’t very eco-friendly. It's made from petroleum, which is why researchers are experimenting with a “greener” way to replace carbon black. Using egg shells and tomato skins Read More...
This reusable sponge can clean oil spills top to bottom
Researchers have created a reusable sponge that can effectively clean up oil spills. Unlike most methods that can only clean up the surface, the Oleo Sponge can go deep into a column of water and soak up oil beneath the surface. When the spill is cleaned up, the sponges can be wrung out and reused, Read More...
Carbon emissions in the U.K. have hit a 120-year low
The last time the UK emitted less carbon dioxide than it did in 2016, most Brits were still traveling by horse and carriage. Carbon emissions in 2016 fell by 5.8 percent compared with 2015, and the use of coal fell by a record 52 percent over the same period. The U.K. also generated more power from Read More...
The world’s first carbon-neutral town could end up in the most polluted country
Meenangadi, India In November 2015, Thomas Isaac, a 64-year-old economist and finance minister for the Indian state of Kerala, traveled to Paris to present a paper on waste disposal at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. He came back to Kerala with an audacious plan: Turn Meenangadi, a Read More...
Urban jungle: saving city wildlife with trees, green roofs and pools
The federal government recently released the Threatened Species Prospectus, showcasing the numerous opportunities for businesses to be involved in conservation. This is great for the bush, but what about the wildlife that calls the city home? With more than 80 percent of Australia’s population Read More...
Beautiful pictures: This photographer shot every national park in just one year
“Now, more than ever, we need to support these incredible natural treasures.” Since the establishment of Yellowstone National Park, in 1872, 58 more were created – symbols of some of the United States’ most beautiful and important natural resources. The parks are governed by Read More...
If we really love animals, we should close all zoos now
For a lifelong animal lover, zoo owner David Gill appears to have developed an unfortunate habit of loving creatures to extinction. Even before he came to national notice, after fresh reports of negligence, and 12 percent mortality, at his private zoo, South Lakes, his autobiography suggests his Read More...
Ocado is planning to cut air pollution by delivering groceries using electric vehicles
Ocado has been testing grocery delivery by electric vehicles as part of a bid to cut its carbon footprint, reduce congestion and keep noise levels to a minimum, especially in residential areas. The Danish-designed TRIPL vehicle for home deliveries will reduce emissions and is much quieter than a Read More...
China coal consumption drops for the third year in a row
As solar and wind energy production continues to rise in China, coal consumption continues to fall. In fact, China’s coal consumption has declined for the third straight year in 2016, down 4.7 percent from the year before. CO2 emissions dropped a total of 1 percent, and researchers expect that Read More...