Sustainable Urban Development
With cities expected to host about 70 percent of the world's population, sustainable urban development is key to making communities worldwide more resilient against the growing threat of climate change. Find out about the latest urban practices from across the world aiming to make our cities more sustainable and inclusive in these good-news stories from The Optimist Daily.
Study finds yet another potential use for aloe plants—Natural insecticide
The green skin and stomach protector aloe vera unveiled a new weapon in its arsenal: its discarded peels. Previously discarded as agricultural trash, these peels are now set to become nature's response to crop-munching pests. Scientists at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley developed a Read More...
The future of sustainable fashion: self-healing mushroom-based leather
The environmental impact of the fashion industry has become an increasing worry in a society where fast fashion has been the standard. But there is good news! Three biotechnologists based in the UK have created a new type of self-healing leather derived from mycelium, the vegetative component of a Read More...
New York State passes nation's first statewide ban on fossil fuel use in new construction
New York State recently approved groundbreaking legislation mandating all-electric new construction, making it the first state in the US to prohibit the use of fossil fuels in buildings. The All-Electric Building Act, which is scheduled to be signed into law soon by Governor Kathy Hochul, will Read More...
Style and sustainability: Patagonia transforms ocean waste into high-tech fashion
Patagonia once again emerged as a symbol of sustainability and style amidst rising concerns about plastic trash devastating coastal ecosystems through creating the groundbreaking Stormshadow Parka. This novel jacket, priced at $899, represents not just Patagonia's warmest product but also an Read More...
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe celebrates salmon return after century-long wait
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe of Washington State hoped for the reintroduction of coho salmon to the Elwha River for over a century. The river, which was vital to their way of life, was obstructed by two dams in 1911, impeding salmon migration. These dams, however, were demolished in August 2014. Read More...
Denmark introduces green taxes for aviation sustainability
Denmark recently revealed a bold plan to implement a green tax on air travel beginning in 2025. According to Thomas Danielsen, the country's transportation minister, this taxing proposal intends to reduce the aviation industry's environmental impact and support a transition to eco-friendly methods. Read More...
Prescribed thinning and controlled burns critical in preventing California wildfires
A pioneering two-decade-long study done in California's Sierra Nevada mountains confirms the effectiveness of forest management strategies such as restorative thinning and regulated burning in reducing the state's rising threat of catastrophic wildfires. This thorough study, conducted by the Read More...
Global climate reform: Australia and Norway to stop overseas fossil fuel financing
Australia and Norway have formally joined the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP), a historic alliance aiming at ending international public subsidies for fossil fuels. The CETP, also known as the Glasgow Statement, was launched during COP26 in Glasgow and has grown to include 41 countries Read More...
Ecuadorian court grants Siekopai ancestral land rights in historic ruling
The Ecuadorian court system returned ownership of 42,360 hectares of ancient land, Pë'këya, to the Siekopai people in a landmark ruling, marking a momentous step in the tribe's journey back to their roots. The November 24 verdict represents a significant move, recognizing the tribe's right to Read More...
Growing the green workforce: US commits $41M to clean energy training centers
The United States is preparing for an energy transformation, and it's no secret that a trained workforce is critical to making the transition to a cleaner future a success. The recent announcement by the Biden administration of a $40.8 million investment in 27 new training centers across the Read More...