With cities expected to host about 70 percent of the world's population, sustainable urban development is key to making communities worldwide more resilient against the growing threat of climate change. Find out about the latest urban practices from across the world aiming to make our cities more sustainable and inclusive in these good-news stories from The Optimist Daily.
Pope Francis, in a 7,000-word "Apostolic Exhortation," called on climate change deniers and hesitant politicians to expedite the world's transition to renewable energy. His speech, "Laudate Deum" (Praise God), emphasizes the importance of combating climate change before it's too late. Recognizing Read More...
In response to rising ecological concerns and political repression, students across the United States are leading a bold movement known as the 'Green New Deal for Schools.' This program, spearheaded by the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led climate justice collective, is laying the groundwork for a Read More...
The global need for palm oil, a common ingredient in food and cosmetics, has long been a source of worry due to its association with deforestation. PALM-ALT, a Scottish research team from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, believes it has discovered the code to a sustainable alternative. The Read More...
On September 12th, the California state Assembly passed Senate Bill 244 with a unanimous 50-0 vote, marking a historic milestone for the right-to-repair movement. This historic measure, which was also approved with an amazing 38-0 vote in the California Senate in May, now needs a final concurrence Read More...
The White House announced the creation of the American Climate Corps, a breakthrough program that will transform the climate action landscape. This ambitious project seeks to employ 20,000 people in its first year, paving the way for environmental sustainability, resilience, and economic Read More...
DECEMBER 21ST, 2023 UPDATE: This solution is a Reader’s Choice selection of 2023! Thank you for nominating the solutions that left you feeling optimistic this year. Swimming in floating pools in the Hudson and East Rivers was formerly a popular way for New Yorkers to escape the oppressive Read More...
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack of the United States presented a game-changing plan to address record-breaking heatwaves and climate change. This effort, which will receive $1.13 billion in competitive funding, aims to plant trees in metropolitan areas across all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Read More...
The Ockendon solar farm, the third largest of its kind in the UK, is harnessing the power of the sun on what was once a bleak trash site in Essex in a revolutionary feat of eco-reinvention. The waste management company Veolia infused new life into this unexpected environment, where more than Read More...
This year, Houstonians witnessed their city reach a searing 109 degrees in late August, tying a historic temperature record. Temperatures rose beyond 100 degrees for the duration of the previous month, underscoring the critical need for creative heat-resistance measures. The problem is keeping Read More...
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, made an astounding discovery that could change the way we deal with water contamination. They developed a revolutionary "engineered living material" that promises not just effective pollutant removal but also sustainability and Read More...