Today’s Solutions: November 08, 2024

The power of “solar balc

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...

A snowy winter day in the old historic harbor of Berlin, Germany

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...

African jewelery against dark background

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...

Berlin public transportation

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...

German neighborhood

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...

Old apartment building in Germany retrofitted with Ecoworks

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...

German Energy Indpendence

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...

Woman in a blue shirt hugging a yellow pillow on a grey couch.

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 solar energy

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...

Traffic light showing green and advanced right turn

AI traffic lights could make traffic flow way more efficient

We’ve all been there—running late and trapped behind a red light, even though there’s little to no traffic flowing on the other side. This is made even more frustrating if it happens to be one of those traffic lights in your town or city that, for some reason, always remains red for what Read More...