From The Intelligent Optimist Magazine Summer 2016 A new “stone” paper devised in Taiwan uses calcium carbonate instead of wood pulp. It could save the forests, but is the world ready for the ultimate paper-vs.-plastic question? By Karin Klein The first thing I notice about my … [Read more...] about Rock, paper, progress
sustainability
Invest like a bee
From The Optimist Magazine Summer 2014 Biomimicry teaches us that a well-functioning system relies less on balance sheets and more on human ingenuity. by Katherine Collins We are all investors. We invest our time, our energy, our money. We invest every single day—as citizens, as … [Read more...] about Invest like a bee
Clearing the air
From The Optimist Magazine Summer 2014 Forget the airpocalypse—the skies are getting cleaner. Hopeful signs from Mexico City, no longer the world’s dirtiest. On a cool Saturday morning, I check the air quality report on Twitter before putting on my running shoes. “Good,” the … [Read more...] about Clearing the air
True Grid
The solution to our overburdened, outdated power grid? One word: microgrids—localized power networks that are cheaper, cleaner and more reliable. What’s not to like? By Greg Nichols From The Optimist Magazine Fall 2015 In late 2000 and early 2001, rolling blackouts swept across … [Read more...] about True Grid
Ditch the plastic, drink through a rye straw
500 million plastic straws are used every single day in the world, enough to fill 127 school buses headed for the landfill. They are ubiquitous. Unlike plastic cutlery, no compostable or otherwise sustainable alternative is available to consumers. This may change if the … [Read more...] about Ditch the plastic, drink through a rye straw