Exposed to wildfire smoke? Here are 5 tips to protect your skin
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In light of the extreme coast-to-coast heat hitting the United States and Canada, this week we're bringing back earlier articles with advice and guidance on how to stay cool and safe during heatwaves and wildfire season. Other than causing respiratory Read More...
What the California food additive ban means for the candy industry
In a big step forward for food safety, California recently enacted a new law known as the "Skittles ban." While the nickname may be deceptive (Skittles are not actually affected), the goal of this bill is to ban certain dangerous food additives by 2027. The additives in question, which include Read More...
California passes landmark conservation act for Western Joshua Trees
Attention all nature lovers! We have some exciting news to share. California just enacted the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, which is a big step forward in the fight against climate change. This historic ordinance is the first of its kind in the state, protecting the spectacular Western Read More...
With landmark legislation, California strengthens LGBTQ+ protections
Governor Gavin Newsom of California recently adopted a series of legislative measures aimed at strengthening LGBTQ+ protections and encouraging inclusivity across the state, in a landmark move to buttress LGBTQ+ rights. With these revolutionary laws, California maintained its national leadership in Read More...
California joins the right-to-repair revolution
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...
A baby beaver sighting heralds the reemergence of California's beaver population
Bill Leikam, the president of the Urban Wildlife Research Project and fondly known as The Fox Guy, recently had a revelation while analyzing film from a wildlife camera along a Palo Alto creekbed. Amid the familiar wildlife, an unfamiliar creature darted across the screen. Leikam, a seasoned Read More...
Parking reform: a win for housing and climate in California
Assembly Bill 2097, signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, eliminates parking mandates for residential and commercial developments located within half a mile of major transit stops. Minimum parking requirements raise housing costs, use up valuable land, and make Read More...
New California law greatly curbs plastic waste
We have written a lot about plastic alternatives you can use and consumer-focused options for reducing plastic waste. Indeed, this is often the focus of efforts to reduce plastic waste. Not enough pressure is put on manufacturers to reduce how much plastic they produce. A new California law, Read More...
After Roe V. Wade, California legislature and citizens jump to help fellow Americans
We decided to revamp this important story with an important update. With the overturning of Roe V. Wade, California is considering a host of reforms to ready itself for the influx of women from other states seeking legal and safe abortions. California’s legislature, care providers, and even Read More...
Fog nets from Chile to Morocco. And soon California?
Fog nets are screens of overlapping horizontal and vertical mesh that catch moisture from fog and collect it once gravity brings the droplets down. In remote villages in drought-stricken Morocco, these devices not only bring drinking water to hundreds of thousands of people but also let them Read More...