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.
First Canadian to legally consume psilocybin shares his experience
Earlier this month, we wrote about a landmark approval from the Canadian government to allow four terminally ill cancer patients to use psilocybin to treat end-of-life distress. In a follow up to that story, one of those four patients, Thomas Hartle, received his first psilocybin-assisted Read More...
The OPTIMIST VIEW: Getting over Growth and Measuring what Matters
"Human Beings have been doing markets since we came down out of the trees, but not everything can be measured in markets." Hazel Henderson By Kristy Jansen How do you measure success? For some it might be lots of money, adoring fans or a powerful position. Others measure their riches in Read More...
Thought Leader Series: The 19th Amendment and why intersectionality can’t wait
This week we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, but while this granted white women the right to vote, Black women were not granted full voting rights until 1965 and many Latinx, Asian American, and Native American women couldn’t vote until 1975. As we Read More...
USPS delays cutbacks until after November’s election
We recently shared an article about how you can help save the US Postal Service. From grandma’s birthday cards to the integrity and safety of our elections, the USPS is a critical public service which we all rely on. Thanks to the activism and action of thousands of Americans, Postmaster General Read More...
Is the era of single family home zoning over? Portland says yes.
For generations, the white picket fence has been a symbol of residential America, but as housing prices rise and cities expand unsustainably, many communities are becoming disillusioned with the classic single-family home. With zoning laws favoring these types of residences, making housing more Read More...
This map tells you how to vote during a pandemic
Poll closures due to the pandemic combined with fears that the USPS may not be able to keep up with mail-in ballot demands has many Americans wondering how to ensure their vote is counted this November. Fortunately, a new tool is here to help you navigate voting during this unprecedented election Read More...
It could be possible to stop locust swarms using their own scent
A single locust is just bigger than a paper clip. But when these solitary critters attract others into a growing swarm, billions of locusts wind up flying together, forming a moving carpet that can block out the sun and strip the landscape of plants and crops. Giant swarms like this have Read More...
Data shows we could elect record numbers of women to the House in 2020
In 2018, the US set a national record with 108 women being elected to the House of Representatives. In 2020, we are on track to surpass that milestone with a surge of victories by women in primaries across the country. More than 30 states have held their primaries so far and more women have Read More...
Thought Leader Series: Damon Gameau and the world in 2040
If it was up to you, what would our world look like in 2040? Would there be more trees? More sustainable development? Less meat-eating? This is the exact question Damon Gameau set out to answer in making his film 2040. Inspired by his young daughter, Velvet, he set out to scour the globe for Read More...
These solar-powered fridges are reducing food waste and hunger in Nigeria
Food waste is a huge problem all around the world, but the causes of spoilage are different depending on the region. In many developing countries like Nigeria, the primary cause of waste is not inefficient purchasing and cooking habits, but inadequate storage facilities to keep food fresh. When Read More...