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.
Oldest living microbes discovered in 2-billion-year-old rock give a glimpse into Earth's early life
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A historic finding beneath South Africa's Bushveld Igneous Complex uncovered bacteria that have lived for two billion years, 1.9 billion years longer than previous records. Sealed in rock fissures almost 50 feet underground, these microbes provide vital clues Read More...
Botanists identify 33 global 'dark spots' filled with undiscovered plant species
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Botanists have uncovered 33 global 'dark spots' rich in unknown plant species, which could include over 100,000 species, just waiting to be discovered. These regions, which include Asia, Africa, and South America, overlap with biodiversity "hotspots" but Read More...
Greece's sea turtle nests reach record numbers as conservation efforts pay off
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM After decades of tireless conservation efforts, the endangered Caretta caretta sea turtle is making a spectacular recovery on Greece's coastlines. This ancient mariner, which has been around for over 100 million years, was nearly extinct due to human activity Read More...
Britain becomes the first G7 nation to end coal power
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Britain became the first G7 country to formally eliminate coal-fired power generation last Monday, when it closed its final coal power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire. This historic occasion marks the end of over 140 years of coal power in the Read More...
World Animal Protection’s Unique Personality Awards: Celebrating the Sentient Souls of Wildlife
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM World Animal Protection has long been at the forefront of fighting animal cruelty, with initiatives aimed at ending the exploitation of animals in tourism and advocating for better welfare standards globally. In celebration of World Animal Day (October 4th) Read More...
Assam's rhino population surges to 3,000 as poaching falls
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The state of Assam in India has reached an amazing milestone in animal conservation: the one-horned rhinoceros population has increased fivefold, from 600 in the 1960s to over 3,000 in 2024. The Assam government hailed this momentous achievement on World Read More...
California takes on fast fashion waste: a new bill puts the onus on brands to recycle
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The environmental impact of the fashion industry is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, and California is leading the way in addressing the growing issue of textile waste. With the fast fashion cycle overwhelming consumers and landfills, California's Read More...
Coral reefs take the heat: IVF coral colonies show resilience amid high temperatures
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM According to a new study, young corals generated via IVF and put on several Caribbean reefs fared considerably better than older, naturally occurring corals during the region's most recent marine heatwave. The study found that 90 percent of these young Read More...
Ditch the rake and discover the benefits of leaving fallen leaves in your yard
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The annual ritual of raking and disposing of fallen leaves has been engraved into the autumn dance for generations. But, in reality, those vivid plant layers offer more than just a gorgeous backdrop. They are an important part of nature's cycle, providing Read More...
The Hague makes history as the world's first city to ban fossil fuel ads
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The Hague made international headlines for being the first city in the world to approve legislation prohibiting marketing of fossil fuel-related products and services. This major ruling, issued earlier this month, seeks to limit the promotion of items with a Read More...