Environment
Need some good news about the environment? The Optimist Daily is your go-to herald of positive environmental news, highlighting eco-friendly solutions and scientific progress around climate action, circularity, conservation, and more. Learn about everything eco in our Environment section.
This brand offers natural and sustainable textile dyes made of seaweed
Last month at Dutch Design Week, Dutch designer Nienke Hoogvliet and entrepreneur Anne Boermans showcased their brand Zeefier, which offers natural dyes made exclusively out of seaweed. Hoogvliet has been researching how to create a range of sustainable and eco-friendly dyes using different Read More...
Researchers push microalgae as the food source of the future
Facing food security issues on land, more researchers are turning to the untapped potential of the sea to meet the nutritional needs of the future. One new diet, called ocean flexitarianism, emphasizes eating food from low on the ocean food chain such as algae and seaweed. Advocated for by Read More...
7 takeaways from COP26
The 26th annual United Nations climate change summit has officially come to a close. We shared a few updates along the way about coal pledges, carbon-neutral countries, and Indigenous forest protection, but now that COP26 is wrapped up, let’s take a broader look at what the summit Read More...
The plant-based fast food movement continues to grow
As the world continues to focus on strategies to reduce carbon emissions and our impact on the environment, plant-based fast food is gaining more traction across the restaurant industry. The presence of new companies such as California-based Plant Power Fast Food is propelling the concept of Read More...
This family farm is a model for agrivoltaic farming
We’ve previously written about agrivoltaics as a solution for improving solar and farming efficiency. Farms, like this one in Germany are real-world examples of the efficacy of these systems. Today we bring you the story of another farm benefiting from this symbiotic partnership. Byron Read More...
What are starling murmurations and why do they happen
Those who are lucky enough to witness a starling murmuration know exactly how transfixing and hypnotic it can be to be in the presence of such a magical natural phenomenon. A starling is a small to medium-sized bird that has a short tail, pointed head, and glossy black feathers with hints of Read More...
Florida rejects plan to drill oil well in ecologically sensitive Everglades
From rising sea levels to more frequent and powerful hurricanes, Florida is highly threatened by climate change. That’s why it makes a lot of sense that state environmental regulators have recently rejected a plan to drill for oil in the Everglades. The Florida Department of Environmental Read More...
So your compost has mold? What it means and what to do about it
So you’ve set up a functioning compost system in your backyard. First things first, congratulations! But how do you know if your compost is healthy and thriving? Mold and fungi are actually a sign of a functioning compost pile, but not all kinds of mold are good. Check out the list below to Read More...
5 Ways adults can reconnect with a love of scientific learning
Most of our childhood is spent exploring, learning, and absorbing new information, but once we leave formal education, this emphasis on cultivating new knowledge is largely lost to the world of work and adult responsibilities. Simultaneously, large portions of the adult population struggle to Read More...
Could ‘universal basic mobility’ end youth disconnection?
The concept of universal basic income (UBI) is being tested in cities around the world to explore how no-strings-attached payments can improve standards of living for vulnerable individuals. Now, some cities are looking beyond payments and embracing “universal basic mobility” as another Read More...