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.
Cob on Wood is a refuge center that empowers the unsheltered in Oakland
A charming refuge for the unsheltered in Oakland has taken form under a highway overpass in West Oakland thanks to a coalition of organizations and members of both the housed and unhoused community. The structures are made of “cob,” a mixture of organic materials including sand, subsoil, water, Read More...
‘Park Habitat’ in San Jose will bring the office and nature together
The benefits of being surrounded by nature have been proven by a large body of research. With that said, wouldn’t it make sense to integrate as much nature as possible into our office spaces, where — at least in non-pandemic times — many of us spend much of our time? Well, a new sustainable Read More...
Spatial data mapping protects migrating animals around the world
We recently wrote about an agreement that sets aside migration corridors for monarch butterflies to help them travel safely. These corridors involve long strips of plant-rich land to offer food and shelter for endangered monarchs, but butterflies aren’t the only species that rely on safe Read More...
New York bans the use of mini plastic toiletry bottles in hotels
It’s no secret that single-use plastic is one of the chief contributors to the pollution crisis. Around eight to ten million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year, and in recent years, our newsfeeds have been flooded with images that clearly illustrate the suffering all that plastic Read More...
Forests as big as France have regenerated in the past 20 years
Good news from our planet’s reforestation endeavor! A new study has found that a forest area the size of France has regrown naturally across the world since 2000. As reported by the BBC, the restored forests have the potential to sequester the equivalent of 5.9 Gt of carbon dioxide — more than Read More...
Cats at Work: Chicago is using feral felines to tackle its rodent crisis
Chicago is famous for its bean sculpture and deep-dish pizza, but it’s also known for its rat problem. Seeking a natural solution to the pest problem, the city has found success in the form of feral cats. Since 2012, the Tree House Humane Society has been capturing feral felines, Read More...
Use salt to make powerful toxin-free cleaners
Salt is the world's most common seasoning, but its uses go far beyond the kitchen. The coarse texture and its ability to soak up water make it a great substance for general cleaning and stain removal. Here are 12 ways you can use salt to make powerful, effective, and toxin-free household Read More...
Scientists unravel the mystery of where sea turtles go after they hatch
The first few moments of a green sea turtle’s life consist of an incredibly hazardous journey to the sea that requires them to avoid the hungry beaks of seagulls and the pinchers of crabs, among other life-threatening dangers. Once they manage to get past the breaking waves, their fate is a Read More...
Mattel’s recycling program is now accepting old toys
If you’re a parent of older children, you likely have a box full of once-beloved dolls and matchbox cars taking up space in your attic. Fortunately, there’s a new eco-friendly way to rehome these toys with the announcement of Mattel’s new toy recycling program. Toy giant Mattel is the Read More...
Roaming wild bison help mitigate Spain’s wildfire risk
European bison populations are rebounding and their growth is offering new opportunities in the field of wildfire prevention. Researchers in Spain are hopeful that increased bison populations could offer beneficial grazing and wildfire risk reduction. As reported by the Guardian, forest fires Read More...