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Crowdfunding for medical expenses is rising
It should be obvious as a fundamental principle that in a civilized country, crowdfunding for direct medical expenses should be utterly unnecessary. You get sick or injured, your medical care should be covered by the community at large. Yet public appeals by families or individuals for help paying Read More...
If India meets renewables target, no more coal power needed in 10 years
As the prospects for coal-generated electricity recede globally, India is one of the last bastions of the world's oldest, dirtiest energy source -- although construction of new coal-fired power plants is faltering. From January 2016 to January 2017, development of coal-fired power capacity fell Read More...
Germany utility launches 100s of Ethereum based electric cars charging stations
A subsidiary of RWE, one of Germany’s biggest energy and gas provider with 30 million customers and billions of revenue, has launched 100s of electronic vehicles (EV) charging stations all over Germany, connected to ethereum’s public blockchain. Carsten Stöcker, Senior Manager at Read More...
Notorious Afghan warlord calls for peace in first public speech
MEHTAR LAM, Afghanistan In his first public speech since signing a peace deal with the Afghan government, one of Afghanistan's most notorious warlords on Saturday called for the Taliban to stop fighting and begin negotiations. "I invite you to join the peace caravan and stop the pointless, Read More...
Growing food without fossil fuels: The example of Taylor Farms
The global food system, from fertilizer manufacture to food storage and packaging, is responsible for up to one-third of all human-caused greenhouse-gas emissions. Now, Taylor Farms, a major agricultural player in the U.S. is making an effort to make food without fossil fuels, and shrink its Read More...
Scientists closer to ultimate carbon solution: artificial photosynthesis
We publish these stories about technological innovation with some regularity in The Optimist Daily. The breakthrough potential is not always easy to grasp. But we continue to present these stories because they show that ongoing innovation will change our future for the better—as it always has. Read More...
‘There are 9 million bicycles in Beijing’ and they can clear the air
According to singer Katie Melua there are “nine million bicycles” in Beijing—more or less. All these bicyclists fight their way through excessive air pollution. Now, Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde imagines a bike that pulls in dirty air, filters it, and releases clean air. This smog-clearing Read More...
These companies show that sustainability makes better business sense
You can do the right thing and run a successful business. That’s the inspiring message of this story about three clothing companies. Patagonia, Cariloha and Fair Indigo show that fair trade and the use of organic materials can improve business Read More...
Riding with Arjuna: 5 lessons in self-confidence from India’s most revered text
Hindus in India have been inspired for ages by the story of the warrior Arjuna and his divine charioteer, Krishna. It’s an epic story about overcoming life’s challenges. The dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna points the way to liberation from suffering. Here are 5 lessons in self-confidence Read More...
Harvard just launched a center for happiness
As two enormous, golden doors part, sunlight pours into an atrium filled with babies and puppies. Everyone is smiling. The air smells of freshly mown mint. Ripe avocados rain from the sky. (Somehow, they always miss the babies.) This is Harvard University’s new Center for Health and Happiness. At Read More...