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.
Zero emission buses making our cities healthier
Momentum for cleaner public transit is building in both big cities and smaller communities. With the recent announcement out of Lane County's planned purchase of five zero emission buses, Eugene, Oregon joins Los Angeles, California; San Antonio, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Read More...
Microbes map path toward renewable energy future
In the quest for renewable fuels, scientists are taking lessons from a humble bacterium that fills our oceans and covers moist surfaces the world over. While the organism captures light to make food in a process called photosynthesis, scientists have found that it simultaneously uses the energy Read More...
Billions of dollars are fueling clean energy and climate action
Finance and banking companies go where the money goes, and the money is headed straight towards clean energy to the fine tune of billions and billions of dollars. Earlier this year Citi Bank pledged $100 billion towards renewable energy over the next decade. Bank of America followed up with a Read More...
Renewables to overtake coal as world's largest power source
Renewable energy technologies, such as wind farms, solar panels and biomass power plants, are increasingly the default option for countries looking to add new power capacity, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The report details how the transition to a global low Read More...
Robot train in desert planned to store green energy
A California company wants to build a rail line to nowhere in the desert west of Las Vegas. And, no, that isn't some mean-spirited joke about the proposed high-speed train to Victorville. This rail line — the first of its kind anywhere in the world — would run 5.5 miles up the western Read More...
Major world economies to double renewable energy supply by 2030
Fifteen years from now, renewable energy supply in eight major economies will collectively more than double. An analysis by global research organization World Resources Institute shows that national climate plans open up the possibility to use clean and affordable power to millions of people Read More...
All electricity in Austria's largest state now produced from renewables
Austria’s largest state said Thursday that 100 percent of its electricity is now generated using renewable sources of energy. “We have invested heavily to boost energy efficiency and to expand renewables,” said Erwin Proell, premier of 1.65m-strong Lower Austria. Related: Read More...
Shifting away from fossil fuels brings equality with it
The global transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources in our energy systems can do more than just help save the environment, it can also lead to a more equal distribution of wealth amongst the world’s population. Unlike the vertical supply chain of the fossil fuel-based energy system which Read More...
Tesla delivers more cars than it originally promised
Tesla's third-quarter deliveries exceed expectations, which is excellent news for the burgeoning automaker. Tesla continues to dominate the electric-vehicle narrative, and until the brand's energy-storage solutions begin to pay off, its EV sales are the only indicator of the company's success. With Read More...
Goldman Sachs to invest $150 billion in clean energy market
One of the top dogs on Wall Street, Goldman Sachs, is licking its paws clean with plans to invest a whopping $150 billion into green energy over the next 10 years. By nearly quadrupling its earlier pledge of $40 billion, the investment bank is making it clear that the best long-term bet is in the Read More...