Evergreen
How the capital of Lithuania is turning itself into a vast open-air cafe
For many cities around the world, the need for social distancing has motivated cities to experiment with different urban planning schemes. Recently, we published a story about how Paris is creating 650 kilometers of pop-up “corona cycleways” to be ready for May 11 when the lockdown is eased in Read More...
A revived old custom in Italy is helping those in need during the pandemic
In Italy, where the coronavirus has shuttered more than 2 million businesses and left one in every two workers without income, some Italians are putting a new twist on an old custom to help the needy and restart the economy. In Rome, the Piazza San Giovanni Della Malva used to echo with the noise Read More...
Pakistan’s Billion Tree project is bringing the bees and honey back
In 2018, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the Billion Tree project, a lofty country-wide effort to plant 10 billion trees over a 5-year span. The project has already led to the planting of hundreds of thousands of trees, resulting in a huge boost in bee populations. Apparently, Read More...
Paris is turning its motorist-friendly streets into post-lockdown cycleways
To minimize social contact and maximize daily physical activity, many cities around the world have been giving over road space to cyclists and pedestrians during the pandemic. While the idea is to give people the sort of generous space generally allotted to motorists, it’s also giving cities a Read More...
Tired of Zoom meetings? Consider adding a llama
Silicon Valley is famous for its tech scene, but it is also home to the animal sanctuary Sweet Farm. Now, the farm is getting cozier with its tech neighbors and renting out farm animals to add some flair to Zoom meetings. For $100, companies can hire a llama or goat to make a virtual Read More...
This series will take you to the world's most ingenious homes
We at the Optimist Daily are always curious about the latest developments in architecture and design. It came to our attention that Apple TV+ has a pretty incredible documentary series out that will take you to some of the world’s most intriguing dwellings. All the episodes in the series Read More...
Amsterdam is ditching our broken economic system for the doughnut model
This is one of those stories that you might look back to in a few years and remember as the starting point of a huge change in our world’s history. When we first covered this story years ago, it was already showing tons of promise. So, what are we talking about here? In 2018, we shared a story Read More...
How to make dishwashing a bit less of a drag
Let's be honest, washing dishes is not always the most exciting part of the day we look forward to, but it has to be done. Here are some ideas for making the process of dishwashing a little bit less of a drag. Add a smell-good element: Before you start washing, add five drops of the essential oil Read More...
White-tailed eagles return to southern England after 240-year hiatus
For centuries, there's been an eagle-shaped hole in the skies over England where the majestic white-tailed eagle once soared. The enormous raptor — its wingspan stretches nearly eight feet — was hunted to extinction in the region and near extinction in surrounding areas some 240 years ago. But Read More...
Residents of Punjab see tops of Himalayas for the first time in 30 years
After 21 days in lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19, residents in Jalandhar, Punjab were rewarded with a view not seen in 30 years: the tops of the Himalayan Mountain range. Reduced smog and pollution due to national shutdowns have revealed the tops of the mountains, which residents say Read More...