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.
Massachusetts passes sweeping climate legislation to reduce emissions
We recently shared how Massachusetts is on the verge of constructing the nation's first utility scale offshore wind farm. Now, it's continuing to expand its commitments to a post-carbon future with the passage of a sweeping climate law that will guide the Bay State towards its target of net-zero Read More...
Dutch designer creates masks that are meant to be littered
As masks have become a staple of our day-to-day look due to the pandemic, people have been getting creative with their designs. Unwilling to compromise on style, people are wearing glitter-glam masks, boldly colored masks, printed masks, and more. However, the surplus of "mask-cessories," as Read More...
Hemp-based insulation is toxin-free and continually absorbs emissions
In one Parisian apartment building, the residents rarely turn on the heat, even in the dead of winter. That’s because the walls are filled with “hempcrete,” an innovative insulation that is better for people and better for the planet. The revolutionary material doesn’t contain harmful Read More...
Project-based learning equips students to face real-world problems
The pandemic has further upended traditional teaching methods and encouraged both parents and teachers to reevaluate how students learn best. Project-based learning is an up and coming teaching approach that emphasizes solving real-world challenges through exploration and asking open-ended Read More...
These simple stickers can make fruit last longer
More than 50 percent of fresh fruit and vegetables in the US end up getting tossed. In many cases, this is due to the short shelf life of produce. We’ve previously shared the story of Santa Barbara-based startup Apeel, whose mission to reduce food waste involves an ingenious bio-coating that Read More...
Bird-friendly coffee is the next trend for caffeine-loving conservationists
In many cultures around the world, coffee is a daily staple, a social gathering point, and a workday necessity, but when it comes to sustainability, not all coffee is created equal. Now, those who want to sip on coffee with a clear conscience can look for “bird-friendly” or "shade grown" labels Read More...
Researchers learn how to maximize the benefits of purple corn
Purple tortilla chips add a fun pop of color to your appetizers or finger food spreads, but the benefits of purple corn go far beyond just aesthetics. Purple corn contains a healthy pigment that, when ingested, can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease or diabetes. This pigment is Read More...
Cadence creates stylish and convenient reusable travel capsules
As the end of the pandemic slowly draws nearer, it’s hard to not get excited about the prospect of traveling again. All the adventures we put on hold because of the health crisis are sneaking back into our minds with the hope that things will return to something that resembles normal again Read More...
This startup is cleaning up the Ganges by recycling discarded flowers
As part of religious celebrations in India, Hindu worshippers leave collections of flowers at temples every day. Once these flowers start to wilt, the vast majority of them are disposed of in sacred bodies of water such as the river Ganges. Every year, about eight million tons of this floral waste Read More...
New Yorkers delighted by rare sight of dolphins swimming in the East River
New Yorkers gazing at the East River last week were treated with a surprising and delightful sight: a group of dolphins swimming through the water. Captured on camera by a sightseer near WNYC Transmitter Park in Brooklyn, the dolphins can be see seen swimming in New York’s once famously polluted Read More...