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.
Europe establishes its first wild river national park in Albania
The Vjosa, one of Europe's few wild rivers, has become Europe's first national park. From the Pindus mountains in Greece to the Adriatic coast, the Vjosa River flows 168 miles. It supports otters, the rare Egyptian vulture, and the extremely endangered Balkan lynx, of which only 15 are estimated Read More...
The case for growing nectar-rich plants in your garden this spring
The nectar created by flowering plants is a significant food source for many of the critters we share our environment with. Those of us who want to attract wildlife to our gardens understand the importance of having flowering plants in bloom for as long as possible. Selecting nectar-rich plants Read More...
Musicians to credit Earth as collaborator and support environmental causes
Artists such as Brian Eno and Anna Calvi are naming the Earth as a co-writer on their songs in order to donate a portion of their income to environmental causes. Earth: a poetic construct Eno described the Earth as "a poetic construct... a beautiful idea," and producers such Fraser T. Smith (a Read More...
Historic global agreement protects international waters
For the first time ever, 193 nations have reached a conservation agreement on the High Seas Treaty, which intends to designate 30 percent of international waterways as protected areas by 2030. This pact is essential for the achievement of the Global Biodiversity Framework and represents a milestone Read More...
Laguna Beach bans balloons to protect marine environment
Last week, Laguna Beach, California — known for its surfers, waves, and rolling hills – caused a stir for its tight prohibition on the sale and use of balloons. The motion was passed by the municipal council last week, citing the risk of wildfires and the fact that balloons are a major source Read More...
EU bans new gas or diesel vehicle production by the year 2035
The European Parliament adopted a ban on the sale of new fossil-fueled cars and light vehicles by 2035 earlier this month. Following in the footsteps of California and New York, among other U.S. states, the European Union will now be one of the major car markets to compel a move to electric Read More...
Australia draws up plans for marine reserve the size of Germany
The Australian government intends to designate a marine reserve in the Southern Ocean the size of Germany, bolstering protections for millions of penguins and seals near Macquarie Island. Tanya Plibersek, the environment minister, stated that the government intends to increase the extent of the Read More...
Hawaii is the first US state to finally ban shark fishing
On June 8th, in honor of World Oceans Day, Hawaiian Governor David Ige signed nine measures into law, including one that will safeguard sharks and other marine life. Act 51 (House Bill 533) came into effect early last month. According to the new legislation, it is now against the law to Read More...
Deforestation declines in Brazilian Amazon the first month of Lula’s rule
The rate of deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest decreased in January compared to the same month a year ago, satellite data revealed on Friday, marking the first monthly figures under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. According to preliminary satellite data acquired by the Read More...
Could this invisible label revolutionize textile recycling?
It's no secret that garments are thrown out at an alarming rate due to fast fashion and the rapid-fire cycling of trends. Furthermore, we are doing a poor job of recycling textile waste. In the United States, less than 15 percent of the 92 million tons of clothes and other textiles are recycled Read More...