Politics
Having a difficult time finding positive news about national and global politics? Search no further! From public policy to positive leadership to democracy efforts, find the latest good news stories in the world of politics at The Optimist Daily.
House approves bill to permanently ban new offshore drilling
Offshore gas and oil drilling create various forms of pollution that have considerable negative effects on marine life and on coastal communities whose economies rely on tourism and fishing. When oil spills occur, for instance, they can cause irreversible damage to marine habitats and devastating Read More...
More legal rights could mean less deadly algae for Lake Erie
Laws focused on natural spaces often hone in on protecting what humans can gain from the natural resource, rather than protecting the space itself. However, “Rights of Nature” laws, which give natural spaces protection as legal entities, are beginning to crop up in an effort to change the Read More...
This Italian region will pay you €25,000 to move there
The president of Molise, an underpopulated region in southern Italy, has a lucrative offer for you. According to the Guardian, if you move to Molise, you will be offered €700 per month for three years to live in one of its villages. That’s €25,000 in three years’ time. There are a few Read More...
How to control the flood of information during a natural disaster
In a 21st century crisis, information is dissipated in mass through social media channels. But when the communication stakes are high, such as relaying evacuation notices, bridge collapses, and road closures, how do we decipher what is accurate in the virtual flood of information? Shannon Bowen, a Read More...
Major industrial zone in UK launches plans to become carbon-neutral
A couple of months ago, the United Kingdom announced that it would eradicate its net contribution to climate change by 2050. Be that as it may, this ambitious goal is undermined by the country’s slow-moving pace to overhaul its heavy and energy industries, which are both a major source of Read More...
Beyond zero-sum thinking: 3 international collaborations that helped the world
In a zero-sum game, one person’s win means another person’s loss. Luckily, we are living in a positive-sum world, meaning one person’s achievement can benefit and contribute to the success of those around them, and even all of humanity. This concept applies to scientific innovation, Read More...
Seattle takes the long-view and announces its roadmap to resilience
As a society, we face challenges every single day, and this week, as Hurricane Dorian leaves its mark on the Bahamas and the rest of the Atlantic coastline, is no exception. Issues include the extreme weather events and destructive acts of nature that are becoming regular occurrences (floods, Read More...
Denmark takes the lead in the fight against chemicals in food packaging
It’s no surprise that food packaging carries a lot of toxins that shouldn’t be so close to our food. PFAs chemicals (perfluoroalkyl substances), also known as “forever chemicals”, are used to repel moisture in packaging for typically oily and fatty foods. Unfortunately, they are also linked Read More...
What would a "Basic Income" really do for America?
“...paying dividends from wealth we own together is a practical, market-based way to assure the survival of a large middle class." - Peter Barnes By Kristy Jansen The United States of America has faced sky-rocketing income disparity for decades, and this issue has been gaining more Read More...
Where you live affects health, wealth and earning potential - podcast reports
A couple of weeks ago we shared a story about the cognitive benefits of listening to podcasts. This was thrilling to us since several on the Optimist Daily team are dedicated podheads. One story we listened to this week jumped out as something that we had to share - a Planet Money episode that Read More...