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.
Britain wants to completely eradicate illegal ivory trade with stricter ban
The UK is in the process of creating one of the toughest bans on ivory in the world. No matter how old the ivory is or in what form it’s been made into, the new legislation would prohibit the sale of nearly all items that contain ivory in a bid to restrict the illegal ivory trade, tackle poaching Read More...
Vikings cleared the forests, now Iceland is bringing them back
Before the first settlers arrived, forests covered up to 40 percent of what is now barren Iceland. Reforestation has been challenging, but progress is being Read More...
This yellow buoy is saving whales on the Atlantic coast
Shipping vessels are killing whales on the Atlantic coast at an unprecedented rate. To try and put an end to this, researchers placed a buoy containing a sophisticated hydrophone that eavesdrops on whales and records the sounds they make. The buoy also transmits data in almost real time, which not Read More...
How the fight against plastics is finally gaining momentum
It seems we're finally waking up to the reality that we must completely stop using plastics if we want to solve the plastic problem. France has completely banned plastic utensils, the UK is cracking on single-use carrier bags and disposable coffee cups, and plastic straws are being targeted by a Read More...
These eco-friendly water bottles could help divert plastic from the oceans
Humans have dumped so much trash in the ocean between California and Hawaii that this area–known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch–is now three times the size of France. But it’s far from the only part of the ocean that has been overwhelmed with detritus. According to Cyrill Gutsch, founder Read More...
London is looking to plant 9 million wildflowers
A new campaign is seeking to turn the city into a pollinator's playground by planting a wildflower for every Read More...
How McDonald’s is distancing itself from plastic straws
In a bid to tackle plastic waste, McDonald’s has announced only hand out straws to customers upon request, rather than giving them standard with every drink. And in some diners, customers will be receiving paper straws instead of plastic. It might seem like a minuscule change, but the act of Read More...
Why Europe just banned two cosmetic ingredients you’ve probably never heard of
The European Chemicals Agency has announced a ban on the use of two chemicals widely found in cosmetics intended to be washed off after use. Although you’ve probably never heard of the chemicals cyclomethicone (D4) and cyclopentasiloxane (D5), they will be banned from use in cosmetics as of 2020 Read More...
Campaigners call for plastics-free aisles in giant U.S. grocery chain
U.S. campaigners are calling on the nation’s largest supermarket chain to introduce a plastics-free aisle, giving shoppers the option of buying products without pollution-making Read More...
These scientists have created sustainable paper out of elephant poop
In search of more environmentally-friendly ways of making paper, scientists have discovered that cow and elephant poop can offer a simple and sustainable alternative. Paper typically requires cellulose, and as it turns out, the diet of roaming herbivores such as elephants are full of high-fiber, Read More...