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.
North Carolina is turning old industrial buildings into new community spaces
As many industries shift to meet modern market demands, regions that used to be bustling centers for coal, oil, steel, and other raw materials are now falling into economic despair. Many experts have cited new renewable energy jobs as a solution to this problem, but in some North Carolina towns, Read More...
Michelin develops inflatable sails to cut the carbon footprint of shipping
While the Michelin Group is commonly known for its travel guides and tires, as well as awarding restaurants for their cooking, the company now wants to help the shipping industry slash its humongous carbon footprint. How? By designing Wing Sail Mobility (WISAMO) — an inflatable sail system that Read More...
This water-filtering pool in NYC will clean the waters of the East River
For many New Yorkers, the idea of swimming in the East River is far from enticing — the body of water has been deemed “unswimmable” since the 1930s due to its high levels of pollution. However, that may soon change thanks to an exciting new project called + POOL, which will clean the river Read More...
Ships that release alkalinizing agents might just save the Great Barrier Reef
We at The Optimist Daily are always interested in new and innovative ideas to help save our oceans. The ever-increasing quantity of carbon dioxide emissions present in the atmosphere is making our oceans warmer and more acidic which in turn degrades coral reefs and threatens marine Read More...
Indonesia commits to all-electric vehicle sales by 2050
In an effort to accelerate the global transition to all-electric transportation, Indonesia has announced that it will end the sale of combustion engine motorcycles by 2040 and combustion engine cars by 2050. As the world’s fourth most populous country, this will have a big impact on global Read More...
Bioplastic inspired by spider silk could replace single-use plastics
One of the most difficult-to-recycle types of plastic is the ‘microcapsule’ — a form of microplastic that’s added to the ingredients of many homecare and bodycare products. These tiny capsules then wash down the drain, where they pollute waterways because they’re so hard to detect. In an Read More...
Community solar investment also provides free WiFi for residents
Rooftop solar is a key solution for generating local renewable energy and helping families cut down on their energy bills, but if you live in an apartment or rent your home, installing solar panels is far less feasible. And that’s without even considering the substantial cost of installation. Read More...
New UN climate program aims to restore the planet’s ecosystems by 2030
According to a recent UN-backed study, the world must triple its investments in nature-based solutions by 2030 in order to successfully tackle the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. In an effort to support action geared towards achieving that ambitious Read More...
Simply listening to nature is good for your health
There are few things as relaxing as the whisper of wind through the trees or the camping sound of a mountain stream, but it turns out these sounds do more than just help you fall asleep. It turns out that the sounds of nature can actually be beneficial for your health. A team of researchers Read More...
Scientists develop life-saving scream-detecting drones
The use of drones in urgent situations is becoming more popular as the technology gets increasingly refined. Now, a team of researchers has developed a system that could fly over disaster areas and help pinpoint the sounds of people who are screaming for help. While the need for such an Read More...