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.
Sustainable Building in a Changing Climate
“Our house is still on fire. Your inaction is fueling the flames by the hour.” – Greta Thunberg Our house is on fire, so how do we build in the face of disaster? Climate change is both an immediate and impending crisis: Under current conditions, we’re bound for 1000-year floods and Read More...
This startup makes petrochemicals from captured CO2
Petrochemicals, chemicals made from fossil fuels, are present in an estimated 6,000 products (and probably more), but Bay Area startup Twelve thinks there is a better way to produce these chemicals. And maybe even help the planet while they’re at it. Rather than sourcing petrochemicals from Read More...
Spray on road treatment cools cities and absorbs exhaust fumes
The heat island effect can make temperatures in cities ten degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas. This is not only uncomfortable for residents but can also have dangerous health impacts during heat waves. To address this issue, Pavement Technology Inc. has created a new treatment for roads Read More...
IMO moves to make shipping companies pay a price for emissions
As the volume of goods traded across the world continues to increase, emissions from container ships are becoming a more prevalent source of pollution. In an effort to transition to industry towards a greener future, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has proposed a regulation that would Read More...
This sleek, zero-waste kitchen design takes a stance against personal waste
A zero-waste kitchen is every eco enthusiast's dream. But, as many of us might know by now, leaving no waste behind when cooking is a daunting, if not seemingly impossible, task. In an effort to make things easier, designer Ivana Steiner has created a sustainable kitchen — made of recycled Read More...
Can this robotic fish save the seas?
From food to fashion, consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z-ers, are leaning towards companies that practice green methods of manufacturing their products and transparency, which is a great thing—but it also leads to lots of greenwashing. How can we confirm that companies follow through Read More...
This culinary program equips restaurants to expand plant-based options
The fact that we can no longer ignore the tell-tale signs of climate change (hello, heatwave!) is motivating people to find ways to reduce their own carbon footprint. Animal agriculture is one of the biggest threats to the environment—it kills over 88 billion animals per year and is estimated to Read More...
There may be a better and more beautiful way to treat wastewater: Willow trees
The unpredictable and extreme weather patterns we are experiencing due to the climate crisis are making it increasingly difficult, especially for big urban areas, to stay on top of storm drainage and wastewater management. Heavy rainfall and flooding overwhelm stormwater management systems, Read More...
New York City Department of Sanitation adds all-electric vehicles to fleet
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) acquired their first all-electric garbage truck in September 2020, and after successful testing in Brooklyn, the city has announced plans to purchase and deploy seven more all-electric models. The trucks will be purchased from Mack Trucks, part Read More...
Beavers to be reintroduced to London in urban rewilding initiative
Rewilding and reintroducing species to their natural habitats is gaining popularity, especially in remote and rural places—but urban areas can also benefit from this practice. Citizen Zoo, a rewilding group whose goal is to bring nature to urban areas, is behind London’s initiative to Read More...