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.
These algae curtains combat air pollution in urban environments
Here at The Optimist Daily, we're highly interested in the expansion of algae as an eco-friendly component of a variety of products that protect the environment and reinforce the value of sustainable, eco-conscious living. Algae has been used to make biodegradable sequins and more sustainable Read More...
NASA research identifies key site for US methane emissions reductions
Back in April, we shared how a NASA project was using satellites to identify sites of extreme emissions generation, also known as “super emitters.” Now, preliminary results from the satellite imagery have already identified areas where a few fixes could go a long way in terms of reducing Read More...
The argument for standardized sustainability labels in fashion
Shopping responsibly is hard. On top of navigating the various certifications and researching brand labor policies and manufacturing practices, there’s the whole greenwashing trend that can make products seem more sustainable than they actually are. All these factors make the whole process so Read More...
The four-day work week could help us fight climate change
Over the course of the last year, we’ve seen growing interest in the idea of a four-day workweek, with the governments of New Zealand and Singapore openly considering shifting their countries away from the traditional five-day workweek. Advocates of the idea often argue that limiting employees' Read More...
3 Sustainable seafood brands to snack on guilt-free
Did you watch Seaspiracy and now struggle with your love of seafood? Fear not! There are seafood brands out there that strive for transparency, sustainability, and even help combat the climate crisis. Here are three sustainable seafood brands that you can indulge in guilt-free. KnowSeafood: Using Read More...
This partnership aims to create net-zero concrete out of industrial waste
In order to reach the climate targets of the Paris Agreement, we urgently need to find a greener alternative to concrete — the most widely used man-made material in the world — whose key component (cement) emits about 8 percent of global CO2 emissions. Narrowing in on this sustainability Read More...
How flight tracking is protecting eagles near South Africa’s wind turbines
South Africa’s blustery ridges are great for wind energy generation, but these prime renewable regions are also home to the country’s Verreaux's eagles, and protecting these eagles while generating clean power is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. To help reduce bird fatalities, Dr. Megan Read More...
ActionAid helps women in coastal villages rewild mangrove forests
We’ve written previously about the efforts of ActionAid, a non-profit organization that focuses on training and educating women who live in areas that are deeply affected by climate change to take on climate-adaptive livelihoods that will protect them and their environment. The first piece we Read More...
Circular rugs: Scientists develop innovative process to recycle carpets
Though they may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of trash, carpets make up over 4 billion pounds of waste in American landfills — that’s 3.5 percent of all landfill waste in the entire country. Whether they end up in landfills or burned at the end of their life, carpets Read More...
This team of bird paramedics is saving migratory species in New York City
Large skyscrapers pose a dangerous threat to migratory birds who often cannot see directly in front of them while flying. In large urban areas, like New York City, thousands of birds collide with skyscrapers each year, but the bird paramedics of New York are here to help. About 30 volunteers Read More...