Today’s Solutions: January 23, 2025

Corporate Social Responsibility

Keeping up with the latest news in all four corporate social responsibility categories: environment, human rights, philanthropy, and economic responsibility.

Steam-powered seed treatment g

Steam-powered seed treatment gains popularity as a chemical-free alternative in agriculture

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Farmers around the world have long used chemical treatments to safeguard their seeds from pests and disease. However, a new chemical-free alternative is gaining popularity in Sweden, Norway, and elsewhere. ThermoSeed, developed by former researcher Kenneth Read More...

Hospitality workers’ wages g

Hospitality workers’ wages get unprecedented boost with 30% wage increases

In an unexpected turn of events, the hospitality industry, long associated with some of the lowest-paid occupations, is undergoing a wage revolution. Over the last four years, salary raises in the industry have pushed hospitality workers' wages up by almost 30 percent, a significant increase that Read More...

The ongoing success of the 4-d

The ongoing success of the 4-day workweek: a year in, companies share insights

Nearly 61 British businesses made the historic switch to a four-day workweek in 2022, setting in motion a cascade of beneficial effects that are still felt today. What started as a six-month experiment has resulted in 54 organizations adopting the strategy permanently, demonstrating long-term Read More...

UK aims to tackle drink spikin

UK aims to tackle drink spiking to protect women and girls

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The UK government announced a game-changing move to tackle spiking, a crime that has haunted nightlife and endangered public safety for years. On November 24, Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed plans to make spiking a standalone criminal offense, a move Read More...

Turning grief into hope with a

Turning grief into hope with a video game that helps children cope with loss

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Children and young people are finding consolation for their deepest wounds in the most unlikely of places: a virtual island surrounded by tranquil digital seas. Apart of Me is a video game meant to help young people manage grief and is quietly changing how we Read More...

California introduces groundbr

California introduces groundbreaking Southeast Asian curriculum in schools

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM California launched the nation's first Southeast Asian Studies Model Curriculum, allowing students to learn about the rich histories and accomplishments of Hmong, Vietnamese, and Cambodian Americans. While the lessons are not required, K-12 instructors Read More...

London Fashion Week will banis

London Fashion Week will banish exotic animal skins by 2025

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM London Fashion Week established itself as a leader among the "big four" fashion weeks by becoming the first to prohibit the use of exotic animal skins. Beginning in 2025, designers exhibiting their collections on London's runways will be required to exclude Read More...

Over 75% of UK universities v

Over 75% of UK universities vow to divest from fossil fuels

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a major triumph for climate activists, over 77 percent of UK institutions pledged to divest from fossil fuels. The achievement is the culmination of over a decade of tireless effort by students and faculty. People & Planet's Fossil Free campaign, Read More...

TikTok’s ban on beauty f

TikTok's ban on beauty filters for teens is a step toward safer social media

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In an era where social media often sets the tone for beauty standards, TikTok’s decision to restrict beauty filters for under-18s signals a significant shift. Teenagers will soon be unable to use filters that artificially enlarge eyes, plump lips, or smooth Read More...

Changemakers of the week: GRuB

Changemakers of the week: GRuB and SparkNJ

Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, the ones that emerge from our local communities often have the greatest impact. We are pleased to present the penultimate round of The Optimist Daily’s Local Changemakers Read More...