Trending
Helsinki airport deploys man’s best friend to screen travelers for COVID-19
Two months ago, scientists in Germany proved that, with little training, sniffer dogs can become incredibly good at detecting the novel coronavirus. Now the Helsinki Airport, Finland, is working together with such trained dogs, to detect COVID-19 among passengers, in a bid to provide a cheap, fast Read More...
This dad is reinventing the playground to make it more inclusive
The playground is meant to help kids imagine. It is meant to help kids imagine and investigate the world, to develop motor skills, and enjoy exercise through play. And perhaps most importantly, the playground is there to help kids make new friends. Here’s the problem: the way playgrounds are Read More...
Try these yoga poses for deeper sleep
Yoga is a practice meant to boost mindfulness and physical wellness, so it’s no surprise that it can also improve sleep. If you’re one of the 25 percent of adults that struggle with insomnia or if you just want to boost your bedtime routine, try these yoga poses that promote better Read More...
Prosumers: How these Swedish homes produce and consume their own energy
In the quest to run on 100 percent renewable electricity, Sweden is transforming homes into highly efficient ‘prosumers’—buildings that both produce and consume the vast majority of their own energy. One example of this in action comes from the city of Ludivika where 1970s flats have Read More...
California to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035
When it comes to the transition to cleaner means of transportation, California has been at the forefront of efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Earlier this summer, the Golden State introduced a new law requiring all commercial trucks and vans sold in the state to be Read More...
China pledges to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060
The UN climate summit, Cop26, has been delayed until November 2021 due to the pandemic, but many participating countries aren’t waiting until next year to quantify their emissions reductions commitments. After the EU pledged to cut emissions by 55 percent by 2030, China made an unexpected Read More...
Silver linings: The pandemic has led to a bike boom in American cities
Part of being an Optimist is finding the silver lining in any situation, no matter how dire it may be. In the case of Covid-19, one of the positive trends to emerge from the pandemic is a surge of cycling within American cities. According to new data from Strava, the fitness tracking app used by Read More...
These biodegradable straws are made out of methane by bacteria
Greenhouse gas emissions and marine plastic pollution are two of the most pressing environmental challenges the world faces at the moment. A California-based startup aims to tackle both issues simultaneously. Biotech company Newlight, has figured out a way to use a certain strain of microbes to Read More...
Online tool helps mobilize Native American communities to go out and vote
Despite having been enfranchised in 1924, due to numerous legislative obstacles, many Native Americans living on reservations still can’t participate in the democratic process and elect candidates of their choice. With less than two months left until the election, two nonprofits have developed a Read More...
Why morning is the best time to water your plants
When should you replenish your plants with water? Does it even matter what time? According to gardening experts, there is an ideal time to water your beloved plants: in the morning. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the watering schedules for both indoor and outdoor plants. Read More...