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.
Solar farms offer biodiversity boost, study finds
Industry-backed study finds fields with solar arrays increase plant and bird diversity and have greater numbers of butterflies and bumblebees Solar farms can significantly improve local biodiversity, delivering benefits to wildlife and potentially even surrounding crops, according to a new Read More...
What one milk carton says about sustainability messaging around the world
You might not realise it when you walk along the aisles of your local supermarket, but you are surrounded by marketing messages. These differ in every country. Buying milk in the UK? You’ll probably see messages about climate change and the environment. Go to China and the packaging is more Read More...
San Diego Republican mayor pushes plan to run on 100% renewable energy
As presidential nominees Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, respectively, call climate change a “religion” or a “bullshit … total hoax” dreamed up by China, it is deeply unfashionable for any Republican to take the issue seriously, let alone push for radical reforms to remedy it. Kevin Faulconer, Read More...
Fighting air pollution, Mumbai aims for fully electric bus fleet
The bus transportation authority in Mumbai plans to convert all diesel and gas-fueled buses in the city into electric ones. India’s mega cities are heavily congested, resulting in infamous traffic and air pollution. In response, cities look for innovative solutions to combat both. Besides the Read More...
Mushrooms hold potential for sustainable building materials
In an innovative search for sustainable building materials, a group of researchers designed benches from mushrooms. They installed six benches at the University of British Columbia, grown from oyster mushroom spores and alder sawdust packed into molds. The designers think the most promising Read More...
How the new Clairy air purifier is making a difference in the lives of consumers
Air purity is a big issue in the world today. The recent news that many cities around the world are experiencing record levels of air pollution, along with many cities in Europe admitting that they won't reach air quality targets for at least five years, has convinced people and businesses that Read More...
UK study says zero carbon economy possible in 10 years
A zero-carbon emission economy is achievable in not more than 10 years, according to a study by the Sussex Energy Group. The technology of electric cars and solar and wind energy would have advanced sufficiently to completely phase out fossil fuels. The study acknowledges energy transitions often Read More...
US and China want to fast track Paris climate deal and speed up fight against global warming
The U.S and China are leading a push to fast track the Paris climate accord. The initial agreement was to have the climate accord go into force by 2020. The Americans and the Chinese are now aiming at 2017, if not this year. The accelerated timeline would be an advantage to the U.S as it would Read More...
Modelling shows move to 100% renewable energy would save Australia money
Transitioning Australia to 100% renewable energy by 2050 would cost less than continuing on the current path, according to a new modelling report. Building the infrastructure to supply renewable energy for all electricity, transport and industry would cost about $800bn between now and 2050, the Read More...
Fossil fuels continue to fall as green deals grow following Royal Bank of Scotland divestment
One of the world’s biggest financiers of fossil fuels is taking its business to green energy. A global trend of withdrawing investments in fossil fuels is sweeping the globe as Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has reduced its global lending to oil and gas companies. The bank is also doubling its Read More...