Science
From mathematics and AI to medicine and psychology, The Optimist Daily features the latest news on discoveries, technological advances, and breakthroughs in the world of science. Our Science section is here to engage and enlighten you.
Half of Scotland’s energy could be produced by renewables
Half of all the energy used in Scotland could be produced by renewable technology in less than 15 years, according to a new report. It painted a picture of a country that exports vast amounts of electricity to the rest of the UK by producing 40 per cent more than it needs, where half of the buses Read More...
Germany wants to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2030
A move to ban the sale of gas-powered cars has been a major topic of discussion for both the Dutch and Norwegian government, and now Germany’s upper house of parliament has gained approval to push a Europe-wide mandate to stop gas-powered car sales by 2030. Germany’s upper house is influential Read More...
The next step in the sharing economy: Renting your car to a stranger
If you can make some extra money by renting your home to a stranger (Airbnb), why wouldn’t you rent your car when you are not using it? Thousands of car owners across Europe today use peer-to-peer rental sites to make their car ownership more affordable. The services, including Read More...
The future belongs to clean energy
As we close out a summer marked by uncertainty in news and events, one trend for which analysts voice increasing certainty is the accelerating pace of the clean-energy transformation reshaping how the world generates electricity. With increasing speed, global energy markets are turning away from Read More...
New 'smart textiles' can produce and store solar energy
Why lug around a portable battery pack when you could generate that power with your own clothing? That's the idea behind new "smart" fibers that can be tailored and woven like cotton — but also produce and store solar energy, like tiny clean power plants. The early-stage textile device could Read More...
No red and blue divide when it comes to renewable energy innovation and CO2 rules
Regular readers may recall my 2013 post describing how “energy agreement” is often “hidden by climate disputes” — drawing on data from a sustained survey by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication and George Mason University Center for Read More...
Nuclear power rapidly losing race with renewable energy
By Sun Day Campaign Two new reports from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirm that nuclear power is rapidly losing the race with renewable energy sources. EIA's latest "Monthly Energy Review" notes that during the first six Read More...
Grid alternatives support low-income access to solar energy
In a press announcement, GRID Alternatives Colorado, an affiliate of the nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, today announced its support for a comprehensive utility settlement being considered by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) this week to address significant state Read More...
Solar energy is helping to reduce poverty in Bangladesh
Powering a three-room house with a diesel generator costs around $38 a month in Bangladesh, but thanks to new solar equipment, people in Bangladesh can have clean electricity for only $17 a month via a pay-as-you-go program. In rural Bangladesh, those savings can make a big difference in life Read More...
Solar electricity production outperforms coal in U.K. for six months in a row
Solar energy is now king in the U.K. In a new report, climate change analysts found more electricity came from the sun than coal from April to the end of September. Of course, the trend will not continue as winter approaches, but the trend shows a clear depiction for the future of these energy Read More...