Circularity
Understanding the value of a circular economy and identifying circular solutions are essential to changing our world for good. Circularity, or the zero-waste principle of keeping materials in a closed loop and away from landfills and incinerators, is the future. Find out about the latest innovations and solutions accelerating the transition towards a circular economy in the articles here from The Optimist Daily.
Ecuador's historic court ruling grants Quito's Machángara river the right to not be polluted
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On July 7th, an Ecuadorian court ruled that pollution violates the rights of the Machángara River, which flows through the country's capital, Quito. This decision, hailed as "historic" by environmental campaigners, highlights Ecuador's progressive approach Read More...
San Francisco launches the world's first fully hydrogen-powered ferry
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM San Francisco debuted Sea Change, the world's first commercial passenger ferry powered solely by hydrogen fuel cells. From July 19, this 75-seat sailboat provides free trips three days a week between Pier 41 between Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Read More...
Namibia's sustainable solution to its housing crisis? Mushroom waste and weeds
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Namibia is experiencing a serious housing crisis, with roughly 90 percent of households unable to purchase a home. However, an innovative project, MycoHab, is offering a sustainable and promising solution by converting invasive bush and mushroom waste into Read More...
Breakthrough in green hydrogen production: cobalt and water replace rare iridium
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Hydrogen generation is frequently cited as a critical component in the shift to renewable energy. However, according to a paper published in Nature Energy by Kiane de Kleijne of Radboud University and Eindhoven University of Technology, the technique has Read More...
Chicago's bike path expansion keeps city on track for a sustainable future
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF Chicago is preparing to drastically improve its bicycle infrastructure, with plans to build about 47 miles of new bikeways in 2024 alone. This effort is part of a larger pledge to build 150 miles of new and enhanced bikeways over the next few years, Read More...
How greenhouse-grown cotton can transform the denim industry
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The fashion industry has long struggled to source cotton in a sustainable way. While Patagonia, Citizens of Humanity, and Christy Dawn have embraced regenerative agriculture, Dutch denim company G-Star Raw is looking into a new alternative: greenhouse-grown Read More...
Alberta shuts down its last coal plant, ushering in a new energy era
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF Alberta reached a historic milestone by closing its last specialized coal plant. On Sunday, June 16th at 10:57 p.m., Capital Power's Genesee 2 facility shut down, marking the end of the province's coal era. According to the Alberta Electric System Operator Read More...
Coldplay's sustainable tour triumph: reducing carbon footprint by 59%
Coldplay set a new bar for sustainability in the music industry, reporting an astounding 59 percent reduction in their touring carbon footprint over their previous world tour. This success results from innovative techniques and fan collaboration, all consistent with the band's dedication to Read More...
Big Oil to pay for climate change damages in Vermont
Vermont became the first state in the United States to enact legislation mandating fossil fuel companies to pay for climate change-related losses. This unprecedented legislation comes after a string of disastrous weather disasters, including severe floods last summer, that wreaked havoc on the Read More...
Creative cement recycling breakthrough promises to slash emissions
University of Cambridge scientists identified a new way for recycling cement from demolished concrete buildings, which might reduce emissions from one of the world's most polluting industries. Cement, the cornerstone of contemporary construction, accounts for a considerable share of worldwide CO2 Read More...