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.
Sweden's recycling is so revolutionary, the country is running out of trash
When it comes to recycling, Sweden sets an example for the rest of the world. Thanks to a government prioritization on sustainability, the Nordic country recycles 1.5 billion bottles and cans annually, a staggering amount for a population of about 9.6 million (in 2013). In terms of Read More...
World's largest food service companies make historic animal welfare announcement
The lives of billions of chickens raised in the U.S. each year will be improved. Compass Group and Aramark—two of the top three largest food service companies, which run dining operations at thousands of colleges, universities, hospitals, and stadiums nationwide—have made Read More...
Hate weeding? This robot will clean up your garden
The inventor of the bestselling vacuum cleaner robot has created a bot that cuts weeds. by Elizabeth Woyke November 15, 2016 What do vacuuming, mopping, and weeding have in common? They’re all repetitive household chores that must be done frequently. They’re also all targets for Read More...
Database helps plant 'right tree for the right place'
German researchers have compiled a 400-species database to encourage people to plant the "right tree in the right place" in urban areas. The team of scientists hope the information will help shift the focus away from the way trees look towards on the focus on biodiversity. Over the next decade, the Read More...
The “Walkcar” is the tiniest personal electric vehicle yet
The Walkcar is billed as "the world’s smallest car," and is capable of fitting into a laptop bag when not in use, while carrying its rider along the pavement at about 10 mph (16 kmh) for up to an hour when needed. It weighs in at just over 6 pounds (2.8 kg), and measures about the same as a 13" Read More...
Sustainability leader wants to change the way, we talk about carbon
Carbon is not the enemy, says architect and sustainability leader William McDonough, the author and inventor of the concept of "cradle-to-cradle". In the climate conversation, almost all references to carbon are negative. We talk about needing to aim for "low carbon," and "zero carbon". But Read More...
How the vegan movement is making changes in Washington D.C
The American vegan movement was always its own worst enemy. But gradually it has become one of the largest disruptors of the American food system, successfully changing public and corporate policies across all levels of government in the U.S. They have driven the push for meat-alternative Read More...
7 international permaculture retreats for relaxing and learning
Perhaps a tropical breeze through a morning yoga session is more your speed. Located in the western highlands of Guatemala, the Yoga Forest in San Marcos la Laguna boasts beautiful views of Lake Atitlán and three surrounding volcanoes. Vegetarian meals sourced from the site’s Read More...
Take a peek into one French woman's zero-waste, minimalist home
The average American family of four sends upward of 4,000 pounds of trash to landfill each year. Bea Johnson sends a Mason jar's worth. Since coining the term "zero-waste home" nearly a decade ago, Bea has become an easy-breezy face of sustainable living. Safe to say, she'll leave you green with Read More...
Regenerative Agriculture Will Feed the World and Cool the Planet
"World governments spend $486 billion a year to subsidize an industrial food and farming model that the United Nations estimates, contributes 43-57 percent of total man-made greenhouse gas emissions," said Ronnie Cummins, international director of the Organic Consumers Association. "It's time to Read More...