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.
British woodlands to see native bears and wolves for the first time in 1000 years
For more than 1000 years England's woodlands have been devoid of wild animals such as bears and wolves. Now, after a number of rewilding initiatives, native bears and wolves are coming snout to muzzle with each other among towering oaks and ashes in a slice of the country’s woodlands. European Read More...
The shipping industry will be forced to use cleaner fuels in less than 6 months
From the return of sails on cargo ships to shipping giant Maersk’s quest to drastically reduce emissions, the shipping industry has been in the spotlight this week at The Optimist Daily—and for good reason: as one of the highest polluting industries in the world, much has to change in order to Read More...
There will be no whaling season in Iceland this year
Hunting whales has long been a part of Iceland’s tradition, but that tradition is set to expire after the island nation suspended commercial whale hunting this year. Demand by tourists for “traditional” minke whale meat in Icelandic restaurants has partially driven the hunt for minke whales Read More...
The in’s and out’s of Maersk’s mission to stop emitting carbon by 2050
Maersk — the world's largest container shipping company — has an astonishing goal. By 2050, the company vows to send goods around the world with zero carbon emissions. The environmental logic behind such a promise is straightforward: Shipping contributes substantially to global climate Read More...
China is now building the world’s largest waste-to-energy plant
On the outskirts of the city of Shenzhen in China, a mammoth structure is being constructed. But this is not just another giant building in China. Instead, it’s set to be the largest waste-to-energy plant the world has ever seen. With a population of 20 million people, the city produces a lot Read More...
Holy cow! Rotterdam is now home to the world’s first floating dairy farm
In 2018, we wrote about a Dutch firm that was planning to create a floating dairy farm that sits on the Maas river in Rotterdam. Well, now it’s actually here: a floating dairy farm where sustainably-sourced milk and dairy products are produced for locals. While the ethics of hosting a bunch of Read More...
Interpol just rescued thousands of animals following global sting operation
A sting operation like none other took place this week as global police and customs officials cracked down on the biggest wildlife trafficking ring the world has ever seen. The giant environmental crime operation involved 109 countries and resulted in nearly 2,000 seizures of protected wildlife, Read More...
Scientists have discovered a way to spot faulty bridges using satellites
On August 14, 2018, a section of the Morandi Bridge that linked the Sampierdarena and Cornigliano districts in Genoa, Italy, collapsed during a torrential rainstorm, sending about 35 cars and three trucks down into the Polcevera river. The cause of the collapse isn't entirely clear, but it appears Read More...
Elephant and rhino populations rebound in Tanzania after crackdown on poaching
Iconic African animals including elephants and rhinos have long been targeted by organized criminal networks that are feeding an insatiable demand for ivory and rhino horn in Asian countries. But strategic anti-poaching government action may just be key to tackling the problem. In Tanzania, for Read More...
Could lab-grown meat help save the planet?
While the market for plant-based meat alternatives is exploding, there’s another alternative to farm-raised meat that could soon become a staple of your local supermarket: lab-grown meat. While companies vary in exact details, broadly speaking “lab-grown meat” refers to a method of making Read More...