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.
The Optimist View: The Doughnut Economy
“Don’t wait for economic growth to reduce inequality—because it won’t. Instead, create an economy that is distributive by design.” - Kate Raworth BY Amelia Buckley Years ago, before I decided that my writing skills were far stronger than my calculus abilities, I sat in an Read More...
Tadpoles bred in Nashville could help save endangered Puerto Rico toad
The Puerto Rican crested toad is the only toad native to Puerto Rico and, in recent years, the endangered species’ population numbers have been decreasing. Currently, there are only an estimated 1,000 to 3,000 amphibians left in the wild in the Guanica State Forest in the southwest part of the 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...
Founder of Lululemon drops $3.2 million to protect Canadian islands
Chip Wilson, founder and former CEO of the popular athletic apparel brand Lululemon, just spent $3.2 million to purchase Saturnina, a small Canadian island, and to help preserve two other islands in the Salish Sea to protect them from becoming real estate property for private homes. The three Read More...
Buddhist monk provides new life to thousands of stray dogs in Shanghai
In recent years, China’s growing wealth has led to a boom in the pet market. This, however, also caused an increase in the number of stray animals, with people abandoning the furry creatures when they do not want to or cannot care for them anymore. In turn, breeding among strays has further Read More...
How to safely dispose of fireworks
An exciting firework display is usually a good indicator that something festive is going on, but while the fireworks themselves can be beautiful, the mess they leave behind isn’t pretty, nor is it good for the environment. In fact, according to a 2015 study published in Atmospheric 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...
Argentina is first country to ban salmon farming over sustainability concerns
Argentina made history this past week as the first country in the world to ban salmon farming due to concerns about sustainability and its impact on natural ecosystems. Salmon farms (and fish farms in general) spread parasites such as sea lice among each other and to wild marine life. To address 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...
Bacteria in cow stomachs are one solution to plastic pollution
As our world’s plastic pollution crisis intensifies, researchers are increasingly searching for new and innovative ways to address the problem. Enzymes and circular design have shown real promise, and the latest plastic waste solution comes from an even more surprising source: cow Read More...