On Sunday, the city of Paris looked entirely different. Instead of being clogged with cars as Paris usually is, the city streets were filled with pedestrians, bikers, and the occasional roller skater. Paris successfully held a Car Free Day in 2015 and 2016, but this was the first time the city council extended the boundaries to include the entire city. While the event allowed the citizens of Paris to imagine a city without cars, the experience also brought concrete results. Researchers reported that nitrogen dioxide levels were down significantly near major roads while noise pollution decreased 20 percent compared to a regular Sunday in Paris.
Paris bans cars for a day and sees the smog go away
More of Today's Solutions
Nine new tardigrade species discovered with help from Danish schoolchildren
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are small, resilient creatures that have fascinated scientists for decades. These tiny ...
Read MoreParis votes to pedestrianize 500 more streets in push for greener city
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a resounding show of support for a greener, more walkable city, Parisians voted to pedestrianize an additional ...
Read MoreTurning waste into musical instruments for disadvantaged youths
In Spain, a creative social project aims to improve the lives of children from disadvantaged backgrounds through music, education, and recycling. The initiative, called ...
Read MoreHawaii is the first US state to enact ban on shark fishing
On the first day of the year, January 1st, 2022, Hawaii became the first state in the US to enact a ban on shark ...
Read More
