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.
Tips to keep your heating costs low this winter despite rising prices
This winter, Americans are expected to pay the most for home heating in a decade. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates that the average U.S. household will pay 17.2 percent more for heating costs—$177 more—than last year, which already saw record-breaking Read More...
Australian study reveals a low-cost strategy for recycling solar panels
A new study has proposed a low-cost method of recycling solar panels to help handle the growing volume of retired photovoltaic (PV) cells expected by the end of the decade. A team from the University of New South Wales published a paper last week outlining a process for collecting and extracting Read More...
European cities get funding to transform streets with art
A number of European communities will soon have the opportunity to give their roads a little creative flair. The Asphalt Art Initiative Nineteen European cities will each get a grant of $25,000 from the Asphalt Art Initiative, a project that aims to increase pedestrian safety by painting Read More...
For the first time ever, Greece meets energy demands with 100% renewables
The other week, Greece celebrated an exciting milestone! All of the country’s electricity needs were met by renewable energy for the first time, as stated by the country's independent power transmission operator IPTO. Greece’s transition to renewable energy Renewables accounted for 100 Read More...
Update: Legendary Glasgow club activates its revolutionary BODYHEAT system
Last year, we wrote about the legendary Glasgow club SWG3’s innovative plan to generate energy using dancers’ body heat to heat and cool the club. Well, we have an exciting update for you! According to Energy Live News, the renowned venue SWG3 officially activated the revolutionary system, Read More...
Wax worm spit: a promising weapon in the fight against plastic pollution
The saliva of wax worms, the beehive-infesting larvae of wax moths, has incredible power. Apparently, it contains enzymes that quickly degrade plastic bags— an item we all know plagues our planet. The enzymes—the first known to break down polyethylene in a matter of hours at room Read More...
Bolivia’s blue-throated macaws are making a macaw-m back
Blue-throated macaws were thought to have died out in the wild, but over the past few years, more than 100 of them have hatched in nesting boxes in Bolivia. Rainforest Trust has been working with local partners to protect and grow these birds' habitats so they don't go Read More...
The world’s whitest paint may soon make travel even cooler
The world's whitest paint, which has the ability to reflect about 98% of incoming sunlight, was created last year by Purdue University engineers using their knowledge of materials science. This paint has significant promise for improving building energy efficiency by reducing the need for air Read More...
Parking reform: a win for housing and climate in California
Assembly Bill 2097, signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, eliminates parking mandates for residential and commercial developments located within half a mile of major transit stops. Minimum parking requirements raise housing costs, use up valuable land, and make Read More...
Denmark pledges millions to nations disproportionately affected by climate change
Last week, Denmark made a historic move for climate justice by pledging 100 million Danish crowns ($12.9 million) to developing nations damaged by the climate crisis. This makes it the first United Nations member state to offer “loss and damage” compensation. Denmark joins Scotland and the Read More...