Germany’s coal mines are now Europe’s largest lake district
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When the last miners left the open-cast lignite pits of eastern Germany’s Lusatia region, they left behind craters stretching more than 200 feet (60 meters) deep. What followed was not restoration in any conventional sense. It was construction: the Read More...
The power of "solar balconies": Germany's solar revolution reaches more than just roofs
In Germany's busiest cities, a quiet shift is taking place on apartment balconies. While rooftop solar has long been seen as a key component of renewable energy, a new player has emerged: the solar balcony. With over 400,000 plug-in solar systems on balconies around the country, this unique Read More...
Germany gets ahead of winter with its huge heating tower
Germany has set to work on an enormous thermos to help heat its citizen’s homes this winter while stepping away from its reliance on Russia’s fossil fuel industry. Germany’s huge heat tower The thermos tower, which stands at almost 150 feet and can store an astounding 15 million gallons Read More...
Germany to return treasured artifacts to Namibia
Last year, Berlin’s Ethnological Museum agreed to return its collection of Benin Bronzes to their rightful home in Nigeria. In a similar act reflecting reconciliation with its colonial history, Germany will soon return Namibia's ancient treasures that it stole during its colonial Read More...
Germany slashes public transportation costs to reduce fossil fuel dependence
In the energy standoff between Europe and Russia, Germany has taken many measures to accelerate the phasing out of oil and gas. It has resolved to make energy cheaper for homes and businesses. It has pushed plans to put solar panels on every public building by 2025. Now, Germany has cut train, Read More...
Germany makes renewable energy cheaper for households and businesses
Good news for German consumers shifting to renewable energy—they will no longer have to pay the renewables surcharge on their power bills as of July 1st, 2022. The renewables surcharge was a necessary action that helped fund the country’s shift to renewable power over the past two decades. Read More...
These prefab facades could make old buildings carbon negative
Retrofitting buildings so that they consume less energy is key to meeting current climate targets. A company in Germany is working to accelerate that process by building tailored facades with built-in insulation that can fit like a glove onto old buildings to reduce their energy use. Prefab Read More...
Germany accelerates schedule to become carbon neutral
People are more animated than ever before for green energy and calling on their governments to aim bigger. And it seems like they're listening. With increasing gas prices from the war in Ukraine and scientists' warnings about climate change, governments realize the need for a speedier change to Read More...
This breathing cushion could ease your anxiety
Just reading the news, you might occasionally feel your anxiety rise. That’s why The Optimist Daily exists, to counter all this worry by refocusing your worldview on the good that’s going on. As we’ve shown again and again, there is a lot! We are not the only ones battling for people’s Read More...
Germany plans to be 100 percent renewable by 2035
Sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar are important for countries as well as the planet. They improve efficiency, can reduce weather-related blackouts, and they also help a country’s independence by allowing it to rely on itself for energy. Germany announced Monday that its goal Read More...