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.
A surprising ally in the fight against climate change: dirt
Earth’s soils represent a potential storehouse for billions of tons of greenhouse gases, a vital addition to our arsenal for combating climate change, according to new research. The international group of scientists, whose findings are published Wednesday in the journal Nature, argue that carbon Read More...
Climate-smart agriculture in response to global warming
We’ve all noticed confused spring blossoms popping up in February. Or the occasional storm that is stronger than usual. But in many places around the world, climate change is more than a curiosity: those who depend on the land in order to live are the most vulnerable to it. Shifting weather Read More...
'Decoupling': Economies can grow as carbon emissions decline
It's called "decoupling" and it refers to the trend that economies grow while carbon emissions don't. It's the most promising trend when it comes to the fight against global warming. Last year, for the second year in a row, global GDP grew while carbon emission leveled off. This marks the start of Read More...
The greener side of fashion: Sustainable style a growing trend
A delicate gown crafted from strips of silk and lace hangs on a rack filled with similarly refined pieces. From wide-legged, snowy white trousers featuring hand-beaded embellishments, to a collarless cocoon coat made of plush jacquard fabric in contrasting tones of blue and bronze, the H&M Read More...
From 3-D printed eggs to drones: How technology is shaping the future of wildlife conservation
Wildlife conservationists rely heavily on data in their efforts to protect animals, but gathering that data without disturbing the wildlife it’s intended to protect can prove to be a difficult task. In an effort to revitalize the endangered vulture population through captivated breeding, Read More...
Climate change will wipe $2.5tn off global financial assets: study
Climate change could cut the value of the world’s financial assets by $2.5tn (£1.7tn), according to the first estimate from economic modelling. In the worst case scenarios, often used by regulators to check the financial health of companies and economies, the losses could soar to $24tn, or 17% Read More...
Carbon farming is a zero-risk strategy for curbing climate change
Now that 195 nations, including the U.S., have agreed to ambitious greenhouse gas emission reductions to slow the pace of climate change, the question everyone is asking is: How will we actually meet our targets set for 2035? Given past performance, many don't think we will get there without Read More...
Coral reefs highlight the key role of existing biodiversity for climate change adaptation
New research on coral reefs led by the University of Southampton suggests that existing biodiversity will be essential for the successful adaptation of ecosystems to climate change. About 25% of all marine biodiversity depends on coral reefs, the three-dimensional calcareous framework laid down by Read More...
A renewable energy boom in developing countries as solar beats coals
Some world leaders, especially in developing countries like India, have long said it’s hard to reduce the emissions that are warming the planet because they need to use relatively inexpensive — but highly carbon-intensive — fuels like coal to keep energy affordable. That argument is losing Read More...
This program will make cutting carbon emissions lucrative for farmers
Farmers make their profits from the food they produce, but what if they received an extra sum of money for the emissions they didn’t produce? Under a new program run by the California Air Resources Board, 21 of the state’s rice farmers have an extra incentive to think green. The program has Read More...