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.
The world’s largest McDonald’s franchisee is going totally cage-free
Arcos Dorados, the world’s largest McDonald’s franchisee and the largest operator of fast-food restaurants in Latin America, said in a statement that it will serve exclusively cage-free eggs by 2025, a shift that will impact the welfare of millions of animals. The new policy, developed Read More...
It's not all bad: Here are some of the many 'bright spots' that offer climate hope
Amongst all the doom and gloom that surrounds news about climate change, an international group of scientists are providing the world with real examples of initiatives that enhance people’s health and well-being while protecting the environment at the same time. One example of this is happening Read More...
More than 190 countries agree on deal to limit global warming from air conditioners
This past Saturday morning in Rwanda, a landmark deal was agreed upon that will limit emissions of key climate change-causing pollutants found in air conditions. The deal will phase down the use and production of hydrofluorocarbons, known as HFCs, for use in air conditioners. HFCs are thousands of Read More...
What to look for when you're buying land for permaculture
Some of the most popular posts I write feature people who have purchased land and transformed it into small-scale farms and permaculture small holdings. From chicken tractors to food forests, these stories tend to focus on what people have done once they have purchased the land. But what about Read More...
This solar-powered bike path lights up at night
Biking has found a resurgence across the world, leading countries to better the infrastructure that surrounds bikes. Having lanes designated solely for bikes in one way of encouraging bike use, but another much more spectacular way is to roll out a solar-powered bike path that glows bright blue at Read More...
First U.S state to vote on implementing carbon tax
Voters in Washington state will decide on implementing the first direct carbon tax in the U.S. on the burning of fossil fuels. The bill would make polluters pay for their carbon emissions, encouraging business to conserve or switch to clean energy while raising money for green initiatives. The Read More...
Paris allows anyone to plant an urban garden anywhere
Paris just passed a new law that allows anyone to plant an urban garden within the city’s limits. Upon receiving a permit, gardeners can grow plants on walls, in boxes, on rooftops, under trees, or on fences. They can cultivate greenery in front of their homes or offices. They can grow Read More...
America needs to allocate some defense funds to the climate action budget
Beyond its devastating effects on the environment, climate change is a major contributor to refugee flows, the spread of disease, and conflicts over basic resources like food and water. And its not just environmentalists who are claiming this. CIA analysts and U.S military strategists have labeled Read More...
As arable land disappears, here come the vertical farmers
As cities expand, eating up swathes of countryside in the process, agricultural pioneers are finding new ways to grow the fresh produce we need, in containers, empty buildings and any other spare space they can find to create new vertical farms. "We are just trying to imitate nature. It's not as Read More...
A huge carbon capture scheme is reviving hope for “clean coal”
The plant will harvest 90 percent of the carbon dioxide it produces. by Jamie Condliffe October 5, 2016 When it reopens later this year, the W.A. Parish Generating Station in Texas will be the largest coal power plant in the world with a retrofitted carbon-capture system. But the scheme is perhaps Read More...