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.
So, your kid is worried about climate change. Here's how to address it
Climate change is the gravest existential threat that faces humanity today, so it's normal for younger generations to have questions about it. Even though it’s important that kids have a realistic view of climate change and its impact, being in constant fear for the future of our planet is Read More...
New French policy mandates more sustainable travel
French travel is about to get a green upgrade as the country’s parliament has voted to ban any domestic flights in which the same destination can be reached by train in less than two and a half hours. After a heated debate in the Assemblée Nationale, the new policy means that greener train Read More...
This at-home Covid test is made from coffee pods
For everyone’s health and safety, we must accept that Covid-19 tests are a part of our reality. Luckily, as time goes on, we’ve developed strategies to make administering these tests as convenient and hassle-free as possible. There are now low-cost tests that produce results in five minutes or Read More...
Does Mario Kart hold the key to reducing poverty and boosting sustainability?
Andrew Bell, a Boston University College of Arts & Sciences assistant recently published a paper that suggests we adopt the principles of the popular racing game Mario Kart to reduce world poverty and improve sustainability. This classic Nintendo racing game has stirred up competition Read More...
Seaspiracy inspires grocery store to phase out sale of fish products
Netflix documentary Seaspiracy has been making waves since its recent release on March 24. It aims to educate viewers about the adverse effects of the global fishing industry on our oceans. It also exposes the issues with sustainable fish certifications as well as the corruption and slave labor in Read More...
Britain’s electricity grid sees greenest day ever over Easter
Sunshine, coupled with windy weather over the Easter bank holiday has seen Great Britain’s electricity grid record its greenest day ever, with carbon intensity dropping to the lowest it’s ever been. On Easter Monday, power plants in England, Scotland, and Wales emitted only 39g of CO2/kWh of Read More...
Urban development upgrades that will outlast the pandemic
During the pandemic, cities closed off their streets to cars, turned unused parking garages into urban farms, and expanded bike lanes. These people-friendly modifications made cities more livable during a global pandemic, but many of them are here to stay as cities shift away from car-based Read More...
New app aims to cut plastic waste at the source by tracing leakage points
Every year, more than eight tons of plastic waste end up polluting the oceans and destroying marine habitats. Figuring out where that plastic litter originates from is key to making a significant dent in this growing environmental crisis. A new app developed by scientists in Norway aims to do Read More...
This supermarket chain wants you to stop buying single-use water bottles
According to Statista, more than half a trillion plastic bottles will be produced this year, the vast majority of which will escape the recycling loop and end up in landfills, polluting the environment. In an effort to do its part, supermarket chain New Seasons Market has decided to remove Read More...
Three ways to take your food sustainability to the next level
So you use a metal straw, compost, and turn your scraps into stock, but you’re looking to bring your sustainable routine to the next level. Any sustainable lifestyle change is a good one, but if you’re looking for more extensive ways to reduce your personal carbon footprint, here are some ideas Read More...