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.
Michigan utility company closes 7 coal-fired power plants, shifts to solar
The Michigan utility company Consumers Energy recently finished the process of shutting down 7 regional coal-fired power plants, and, at the same time, beginning operations at a new community solar energy project in the area. The new 3 megawatt (MW) solar energy project is located on a 17-acre site Read More...
India adds 7.1 GW renewable energy capacity, beats target
The renewable energy sector in India registered impressive growth in the financial year 2015–16, which ended March 31st, 2016. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy recently reported that India added 6,937 MW of grid-connected renewable energy capacity during FY2015–16. This is one and a Read More...
Two German states hit 100% renewable electricity
The German states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein generated more renewable power in 2015 than households and businesses in each state consumed. Germany has 16 federal states, three of which are city-states, leaving 13 area states known as Flächenländer. Renewable energy Read More...
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...