Climate Action
What is Climate Action? Climate Action is humanity's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance our planet's resilience against climate change. From adaptation to mitigation, at The Optimist Daily you will learn about the most recent positive news stories and solutions targeting climate change and other environmental issues.
McDonald's to phase out plastic toys in Happy Meals by 2025
Many of us have fond memories of visiting McDonald’s with our friends and family as children and receiving the specially packaged Happy Meals. Underneath those cardboard golden arches, we knew that we would find a little toy inside, which we would eagerly anticipate putting together and playing Read More...
The lord of rewilding: Irish Baron turns his estate into a nature preserve
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world would need to rewild and restore a territory the size of China over the next decade to meet commitments on nature and tackling climate change. In Ireland, a landowner, and holder of one of the oldest surviving Irish peerage Read More...
3 Tricks to keep your sweaters in tip top shape
Autumn is in full swing, which means pumpkin picking, hot lattes, and sweater weather—but this year, instead of buying new knit sweaters, use these three tips to wash, unshrink, de-pill, and store whatever you already have in your closet so that you can make them last longer. Using what your have Read More...
These crafty activists flock together and stitch canaries for climate change
Over the past few months, residents in the UK would have had the chance to spot more than 70 “flocks” of UK crafters that have been gathering across the nation as a way to encourage politicians to react more aggressively to the climate crisis. The participants in this project, which was Read More...
New Zealand mandates climate change disclosures for financial institutions
New Zealand has introduced legislation to increase climate transparency in banking. The country’s new policy will require publicly listed companies and large insurers, banks, non-bank deposit takers, and investment managers to make climate-related disclosures. Most companies and banks Read More...
Algae wrapped in droplets improves efficiency of artificial photosynthesis
In our quest for the most sustainable, most renewable sources of energy, humanity continues to look to nature for inspiration. One of nature’s most efficient energy systems is photosynthesis, which is how plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into chemical energy to fuel themselves. Read More...
Eco-friendly ways to deal with your cat's kitty litter
Yesterday we wrote about the most eco-friendly ways dog owners can manage their furry companions' waste. Now, we will tackle the same topic, but for cat litter. Cat litter can be an incredible waste. It is often full of potentially harmful chemicals as well. Don’t fret, though. There are a few Read More...
Eco-friendly ways to deal with your dog’s waste
If you’re a dog parent, then you know by now that your dog is capable of generating a surprising quantity of waste. Here are some environmentally friendly ways to manage the waste they generate. Let’s start with #1 Dogs pee a lot. It’s how they tag their territories and let other dogs know Read More...
Following shut offs and hurricanes, Puerto Ricans want a solar future
Puerto Ricans pay nearly twice as much for electricity as mainland Americans, yet random shut-offs and natural disasters like Hurricane Maria often leave many without power. In the wake of the hurricane, a social movement called Queremos Sol was born. Meaning “we want sun,” the movement Read More...
Residents of this small Spanish town pay less taxes the more they recycle
The small Spanish town of La Nucía is located just 10 kilometers away from the touristy seaside resorts of Benidorm. But compared to its skyscraper-dominant neighbor, La Nucía’s architecture ranks high in sustainability rather than height. For over 20 years, the municipality has followed a Read More...