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.
Small and isolated habitat patches crucial to species survival
Small, local patches of habitat could be playing a much bigger role in conserving biodiversity than you think, according to new research. The global study just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences looked at the conservation values of vegetation patches in 27 countries on Read More...
This company pulls carbon from the air, aiming to avert a climate catastrophe
At a major climate meeting in Poland, nearly 200 countries are trying to reach a deal on dramatically reducing carbon emissions. But a recent U.N. report found that may not be enough to avoid dangerous impacts from the warming climate. In fact, the world is falling so far short of what's needed, it Read More...
How sustainability transitions are revamping the global manufacturing industry
The transition to more sustainable means of manufacturing is expected to disrupt the entire global value chain over the coming decade. The expected developments in the energy and materials arena resulting from sustainable manufacturing transformation represent market opportunities of more than $2 Read More...
Scientists find some hope for coral reefs: the strong may survive
Among the threatened corals of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, one of the natural wonders of the world that has been ravaged by global warming, researchers have found a reason for optimism — or at least a reason not to despair Read More...
How whale sharks saved a Filipino fishing town and its sea life
Fishermen-turned-entrepreneurs who have been financing the protection of endangered whale sharks in the Philippines have hit on a successful scheme to help lift their coastal community out of poverty, new research has found. A group of 58 fishermen from the town of Oslob who were struggling to feed Read More...
Beyond oil: inside Dubai's sustainable city
On the outskirts of Dubai, a shimmering metropolis built on buried oil lies a small but similarly suave community looking at a new way of doing things. It is no small irony that the world's most brazen exemplar of fossil-fueled excess is also home to a cutting-edge example of more thoughtful modern Read More...
Pacific nations resist US push to lift tuna quota
Pacific island nations have vowed to oppose US efforts to increase its catch limit in the world's largest tuna fishery, saying the proposal does nothing to improve sustainable fishing. The United States is expected to try to increase its quota for bigeye tuna at a meeting of the Western and Central Read More...
World’s largest maritime shipping company plans to ditch fossil fuels
The world’s largest container shipping company has embarked on a mission to become carbon-free by 2050. The biggest part of the process will be switching to carbon-neutral ships and urging the industry to find cleaner ways to power their massive vessels. This is a remarkable initiative Read More...
Italy’s fashion capital wants to plant 3 million trees by 2030
Milan has an ambitious plan to plant 3 million trees by 2030 in an attempt to relieve Italy’s fashion capital of air pollution and offer a more green touch to the cityscape’s grey-predominant architecture. The scheme is estimated to increase the number of trees by 30 percent which would absorb Read More...
How major cities can fight climate change... and make billions
Implementing green strategies like bike lanes and better building codes could bring 94 world cities a collective $583 billion worth of benefits, while fighting climate change, according to research by a global network of cities. C40 Cities pinpointed transport, buildings, and industry as priorities Read More...