Policy Making
Strong public policy leads to more cohesive, resilient, and sustainable societies. In this section, find out about the latest legislations from around the world aimed at making our world a better place.
Australia expands its marine parks, protecting more ocean than any other country
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Australia is creating ripples in the international environmental community with a bold new commitment to ocean conservation. Tanya Plibersek, Australia's Environment Minister, announced last week the expansion of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Read More...
Thailand set to legalize same-sex marriage in January 2024
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Thailand has made a significant step toward LGBTQ+ equality by becoming Southeast Asia's first country to legalize same-sex marriage. The groundbreaking ordinance, signed into law by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and published in the Royal Gazette, will take Read More...
California takes on fast fashion waste: a new bill puts the onus on brands to recycle
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The environmental impact of the fashion industry is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, and California is leading the way in addressing the growing issue of textile waste. With the fast fashion cycle overwhelming consumers and landfills, California's Read More...
The Hague makes history as the world's first city to ban fossil fuel ads
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The Hague made international headlines for being the first city in the world to approve legislation prohibiting marketing of fossil fuel-related products and services. This major ruling, issued earlier this month, seeks to limit the promotion of items with a Read More...
California imposes a complete ban on plastic shopping bags at grocery stores
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law prohibiting all plastic shopping bags at grocery store checkouts, making the state the first to impose such broad regulations. The new law, which goes into force in 2026, eliminates the choice of plastic bags Read More...
California's first national marine sanctuary in 30 years to protect 116 miles of coastline
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The proposal for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary marks a big step in protecting California's coastline. This sanctuary, which spans more than 116 miles of the state's central coast, will become the third largest of its kind in the United Read More...
Alaska Judge overturns law allowing only physicians to perform abortions
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A state Superior Court judge overturned an Alaska statute that required only licensed physicians to provide abortions, declaring that the limitation violated constitutional protections of equal protection and privacy. Superior Court Judge Josie Garton's Read More...
Australia grants employees the right to disconnect after hours
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a big step toward protecting workers' personal time, Australia has passed a new law granting employees the "right to disconnect" from work after hours. This policy, which went into effect for the majority of workers this past Monday, permits Australians Read More...
The FCC launches nationwide alert system to protect and serve missing Indigenous people
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a key step toward improving public safety, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) implemented a new nationwide warning system designed expressly for missing and endangered Indigenous people. This effort intends to fill a critical vacuum in the current Read More...
Puerto Rico bans hair discrimination in a victory for cultural heritage and anti-racism
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Puerto Rico recently approved legislation forbidding discrimination against natural hair and protective hairstyles in both public and private organizations, marking a significant step forward in the fight against racial discrimination. Governor Pedro Read More...