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.
World’s second largest steel producer is going green
The amount of carbon dioxide emissions from steel manufacturing is almost double the amount of steel created, which stands at 1.8 billion tons per year. It is thus paramount to clean up the steel industry if the world is to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. In a bid to help us get closer to Read More...
“Mount Recyclemore” brings attention to the dangerous issue of e-waste
The leaders of the world’s leading democracies who attended the G7 Summit in Cornwall last month were welcomed by a statement art installation called “Mount Recyclemore.” The piece featured the likeness of each of the seven world leaders in attendance, all made from discarded electronics. To Read More...
Study: Renewable energy jobs were more resilient during pandemic
According to a Department of Energy report, jobs in the renewable energy sector were far more resilient to the economic turmoil of the pandemic than those in the oil and gas industries. In 2020, one in ten energy workers lost their job, but the wind energy sector grew by two percent, Jobs in the Read More...
The Optimist View: Down to EarthーStorytelling as a solutions journalism medium
“Long-term survival on this planet for us and for all generations after us is a pretty good idea. Remember, the earth will probably always be here. We just may not be able to live on it for too long.” - Zac Efron BY Amelia Buckley and Arielle Tiango Little was known about the world of Read More...
Scientists develop a disintegrating natural plastic
The plastic problem that we face today is a serious issue that is inspiring many scientists and researchers to find alternatives or modify the plastic manufacturing process so that the material can safely and quickly degrade. Researchers in China have done just that by creating a new kind of Read More...
California forest managers are rethinking reforestation patterns to tackle wildfires
When a wildfire tears through a region, the first priority for conservationists is to begin replanting some of the habitat destroyed by the blazes, but in the face of climate change, some forest mangers are rethinking what this planting should look like. In Eldorado National Forest, researchers and Read More...
Austin neighborhood to be transformed into self-sufficient solar town
An Austin neighborhood is getting a green upgrade in an attempt to become a self-sufficient solar-powered town. Through partnering with Tesla and developer Dacra and Brookfield Asset Management, the town plans to equip houses with V3 solar roof tiles, Tesla chargers, and Powerwall Read More...
The UN draws up Paris-style strategy with ambitious goals to protect the planet
The UN has set out a Paris-style strategy to halt biodiversity loss. Some of the ambitious goals of this plan, which was drawn up by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) include eliminating plastic pollution, protecting a minimum of 30 percent of the world’s oceans and land, and Read More...
6 Thrifty ways to reuse the single-use plastic left in your life
It’s no secret that plastic pollution is a gargantuan problem, and to address that, many have started to invest in reusable products to replace single-use plastic. However, as much as we try to avoid it, the reality is that at some point, we may still have to deal with it. Plus, those who are Read More...
EU announces new climate action legislation
To reach their goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, the EU has released a draft of new climate change legislation to further cut emissions. The new legislation, which must still be approved by the EU’s 27 member states and parliament, proposes laws such as increasing taxes on jet fuel and Read More...