Today’s Solutions: March 28, 2024

Good Governance

What does good governance look like? In this good news section, we share international examples of good governance, from efforts directed at the protection of civil rights to initiatives aimed at the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.

Toni Morrison the Bluest Eye

A victory for free speech: Toni Morrisson’s The Bluest Eye unbanned

Last month, the board of the Wentzville School District of St. Louis, Missouri voted to ban Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison’s novel, The Bluest Eye from school libraries. This came after a handful of parents requested the book be banned, citing themes of racism and child abuse.  Now, after a Read More...

Mass timber structure against blue sky in the background

Amsterdam plans to build its first wooden neighborhood in centuries

When it comes to sustainable urban development, Amsterdam stands out as a metropolis ready to integrate a variety of strategies to make the city more livable and eco-friendly: from underwater bike garages to energy-sharing, floating villages. Now, the city is planning to build an entire Read More...

homeless woman begs on a street in London, UK

The UK repeals anti-homelessness law

The UK Vagrancy Act criminalizes sleeping outside and begging—essentially homelessness—in England and Wales. Under this law, police have the power to arrest people found begging in public, or in enclosed spaces. Anyone convicted of these crimes is charged with up to £1,000 in fines along with Read More...

DC residences

Cash transfer to DC community creates tangible and emotional benefits

At The Optimist Daily, we love success stories about sustainable urban policies. A recent study by the Urban Institute reports that trust was critical to delivering funds to households in need and improving their mental health at the same time.  THRIVE East of the River In Washington D.C.’s Read More...

POC home owners

Congress aims to fix the appraisal industry and help POC owners

At The Optimist Daily, we’re excited by stories about narrowing the wealth gap, especially when it comes to the racial wealth gap. This is why we were happy to hear on Tuesday that the House of Representatives will be pushing legislation forward to address racial discrimination in the home Read More...

Germany solar energy

Germany plans to be 100 percent renewable by 2035

Sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar are important for countries as well as the planet. They improve efficiency, can reduce weather-related blackouts, and they also help a country’s independence by allowing it to rely on itself for energy.  Germany announced Monday that its goal Read More...

Animal Wildlife Crossing

Congress approves $350 million for wildlife crossings

Funding was finally secured in January for the construction of a wildlife crossing over the 101-freeway in Southern California, which cuts through the Santa Monica Mountains and the habitats of many native animals. The Optimist Daily has been closely following stories of wildlife crossings like Read More...

French protest reproductive rights

To make citizens safer, France extended its abortion limit

In a win for the reproductive rights of French people, the deadline for having an abortion has been extended from 12 to 14 weeks. This limit now aligns with those of Spain and Austria, and its purpose is to increase safety and freedom for the country's citizens. France has seen a nationwide Read More...

Snapshot from the documentary “My Name Is Pauli Murray.” She sits with a blue jacket wearing glasses writing.

3 inspiring Black LBGTQ+ pioneers

Part of the cultural reassessment that's been occurring over these last few years has been the recognition that many contributions of both the Black and LBGTQ+ communities have been pushed under the rug for too long. In honor of Black History month, we wanted to shed light on three incredible Read More...

San Francisco Tenderloin

A victory against rent-hikes for Tenderloin residents

At The Optimist Daily, we're happy to see solutions to the housing crisis. While we enjoy innovative solutions, we also love to see communities coming together to help their members hold onto their homes in the face of increasing rent prices. In 2016, when a new owner took over 285 Turk Street, Read More...