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.
For all of us keeping an eye on the horrific fires that are burning down large swaths of the Amazon rainforest, it’s easy to feel absolutely powerless. After all, there’s basically no way to stop the fires yourself without hopping on a plane and flying to Brazil with a firehose. With that said, Read More...
In the desert-like climate of Hidalgo, Mexico, a community of quirky, experimental housing has been constructed, with each house built by a different architect or studio. The idea behind the community was to motivate architects to develop new construction techniques, water-saving systems, and Read More...
There are only two surviving northern white rhinos in the world, both of which are female and infertile. While this situation might indicate the end of the species, scientists have recently gotten one step closer towards preventing that by turning to advanced reproductive technologies for Read More...
Like Australia, the US has its own “Great Barrier Reef”, lying just off the coast of the Florida Keys. It’s the third-largest coral reef in the world, and it’s in serious danger. As the temperature of the oceans continues to rise, the corals are dying off at an unprecedented rate. If Read More...
If you’ve ever bought your child a toy, you know they’re typically made of plastic and packaged in plastic, which is no fun for the planet. That’s why it’s good news that Hasbro, one of the biggest toy manufacturers in the world, is getting set to eliminate plastics from its packaging. Read More...
Palm oil is literally everywhere – in our foods, cosmetics, cleaning products and fuels. And, while being a source of huge profits for multinational corporations, our palm oil consumption has devastating consequences for the environment – from displacing indigenous people and critically Read More...
Oil spills can spell big trouble for the environment, and efficient and swift response is critical in trying to contain the problem. In the not-too-distant future, folks dealing with such incidents may have a robotic helper to call on, with Boston’s Sea Machines Robotics successfully Read More...
Research into the mind-melding effects of psychedelics is becoming respectable again within the medical community, as therapeutic applications are being discovered. In addition to treating depression, PTSD, and other psychological disorders, tripping on magic mushrooms might serve another purpose - Read More...
Packaging made from mushrooms, for mushrooms, is being tested in the hope that it will keep the fungi fresher longer. Christchurch mushroom grower, Meadow Mushrooms, is trialing the packaging it has developed and made from mushroom stalks, for its own products. The 50-year-old family business Read More...
Benefitting both the body and mind, mushrooms are one of the most under-appreciated things on Earth—so much so that we’ve dedicated the week to them. Sunday’s Optimist View covered how psychedelic mushrooms can be used to resolve mental health issues, but we also want to let you know Read More...