June 16, 2022

Paul Relis and His Time on The Environmental Frontier

Today we're welcoming guest Paul Relis to the show! Paul is a pioneer of environmental solutions after being called to action from the 1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill - a transformative event in US history that launched many environmental protection programs, and Paul's career. With his leadership in forming the Community Environmental Council, starting recycling programs with the California Environmental Protection Agency, taking executive roles in the bioenergy sector, and engaging in many more impressive positions, Paul has a lot to share with us about taking environmental action. 

You can read more about Paul's work in his book, Out of The Wasteland: Stories from The Environmental Frontier. More of his work is also detailed on paulrelis.com. 

 PLAY   54:00 min

June 15, 2022

Fantastical Flying Ships and a Beautiful Eco-School Project

Today's innovative design news: Arielle and Kristy dive into the design world with two inspiring stories. They begin by talking about hydrofoils and how they can be used to electrify ferries and ships, one of the only modes of transport that is yet to be successfully decarbonized. Then, they discuss a beautifully designed eco-school located in the Thar desert in India.

Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   16:52 min

June 14, 2022

NASA Investigates UFOs and Understanding Extraterrestrial Life through Kombucha

Today's out-of-this-world news: Arielle and Kristy journey into space with today's solutions. First, Arielle talks about NASA's newly assembled team committed to investigating UFOs. Then, Kristy discusses how kombucha, the talented tea, is helping us better understand extraterrestrial life.

Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   09:04 min

June 13, 2022

Early Whale Watching and How Animal Research Advances Women's Health

Today's wildly positive news: Summers highlights how Australian whale watchers are being treated to an earlier-than-usual whale watching season thanks to successful conservation! Then, Kristy talks about a new study that details how animal adaptations could inform better women’s health.

Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   15:09 min

June 10, 2022

Smart Pillows and Uber's Aid in Ukraine

Today's optimistic news: A new smart pillow can track the sleep of a user and provide essential data, and Uber is aiding Ukrainians by parterning with the UN World Food Programme. That and more on The Optimist Daily today! 

Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   12:02 min

June 09, 2022

Insect Informants and How To Reduce the Environmental Cost of Meat

Today's solutions news: Italy's special police force, the Carabinieri, teams up with bees to fight climate change, and here are four policy changes we can make to reduce the environmental cost of the meat industry. If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   15:21 min

June 08, 2022

Electric Food Trucks and Scaling Up Solar Production

Today's good news: Summers talks about how students at the University of Illinois, Chicago have built a fully functional solar charging station for an on-campus food truck and other EVs. Then, Kristy discusses how the Biden administration is trying to drastically scale up solar production.

If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   14:24 min

June 07, 2022

Composting in California and The Attentional Failure during Driving Questionnaire (AFDQ)

Today's good news: California levels up its composting game by making composting a statewide practice. Plus, North Carolina State University has developed an Attentional Failure during Driving Questionnaire (AFDQ) to help determine which drivers are most at risk of having an accident. 

If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   15:23 min

June 06, 2022

Mental Health Benefits of Youth Team Sports and the VEST Hackathon

Today's good news: Summers and Kristy start the week by talking about how new research from the University of California, Fullerton reveals a correlation between youth who participate in team sports and better mental health. Then, they discuss the VEST hackathon is helping make the professional field of construction more equitable for all.

If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an email to: editorial@optimistdaily.com.

Listen to the Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   15:38 min

June 03, 2022

Firefighting Goats and World's Largest Plant

Today's positive news: Firefighting goats are helping prevent wildfires in California's Ojai Valley (shout out to Emissary Warren Petersen for submitting this story for our Optimist Change-Makers nominations!)! Plus, the world's largest plant (think 20,000 football fields big) has just been discovered off the coast of Australia. All that and more on The Optimist Daily today! 

Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers and Kristy - Making Solutions the News!

 PLAY   14:30 min