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Family planning can help the world: Lessons from Indonesia
Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, cut its fertility rate in half over a 30-year period. After decades of international efforts administered by the United Nations, development experts concur that family planning programs have been a key tool in reducing poverty and in empowering Read More...
UK allows electric cars in bus lanes to boost the uptake of cleaner cars
Electric cars are seen as a key way for the UK to meet its carbon budgets and cut the illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution that blight many British cities. The number of 100% electric cars registered in the UK in 2015 nearly doubled on the year before, to 9,934. In Norway, incentives Read More...
US can make fast shift to clean energy and save billions, new study says
A new study shows that the United States could shutter coal-fired power plants by 2030, maintain a steady power supply—and save billions of dollars. The country has more than enough clean renewable energy capacity to replace the coal-fired power stations. The challenge: How to move electricity Read More...
5 ways to develop your intuition
Intuition lies deep within all of us. It’s that little voice that tells us what feels right or warns us if something seems wrong. Being able to believe in your own intuition breeds confidence and can lead you to what you truly want. Yet, following it can be difficult, especially in a society that Read More...
Oslo trash incinerator starts experiment to slow climate change
Oslo's main waste incinerator began the world's first experiment to capture carbon dioxide from the fumes of burning rubbish on Monday, hoping to develop technology to enlist the world's trash in slowing global warming. The test at the Klemetsrud incinerator, which burns household and industrial Read More...
Vietnam to phase out coal, invest in gas and renewables
Vietnam’s prime minister says the country will stop building coal power plants and look to gas and renewables to power its electricity grid. In a statement on the government website, Nguyen Tan Dung said new energy plans should protect the environment and strictly follow “international Read More...
The health benefits of knitting
About 15 years ago, I was invited to join a knitting group. My reluctant response — “When would I do that?” — was rejoined with “Monday afternoons at 4,” at a friend’s home not three minutes’ walk from my own. I agreed to give it a try. My mother had Read More...
How to live compassionately: Forgive yourself, forgive others
According to the dictionary, to forgive is to stop feeling Read More...
Microcredit pioneer Muhammad Yunus on how to change the world
At The Optimist, we've always kept a close watch on Muhammad Yunus. We interviewed him in his office in Dhaka, Bangladesh, before the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his groundbreaking work with microcredit pioneer Grameen Bank made him famous. So when Yunus speaks out about the new goals he's Read More...
Kudzu: the Chinese herb that can help you stop drinking so much
Cutting back on alcohol consumption can prove to be difficult when you’re having a night with friends. Many struggle with drinking less, but an ancient Chinese herbal remedy called kudzu may be helpful in reducing the amount you drink without going entirely dry. In a randomized Read More...