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.
Fall cover crops for livestock grazing improve soil health, protect environment
Adding a cover crop that livestock can graze to the rotation plan can improve soil health and help protect the environment. That's the premise behind Read More...
Trash to treasure: the social enterprises transforming recycling
Convincing companies to buy back their own rubbish sounds like an unlikely business model – yet the Melbourne social enterprise Green Collect has found a way to make it work. Companies in the city’s office towers pay Green Collect to take away hard-to-recycle waste. Green Collect then Read More...
Want To Detox Your Home? Throw Out These Things Right Now
It wasn't until I became a mother that I realized many objects in our homes are made from petroleum and other harsh chemicals. Then, I learned that these chemicals can contaminate our air and even act as neurotoxins, reproductive toxins, developmental toxins, and endocrine disruptors in the body. Read More...
16 more tips for living without plastic
Plastic-free living requires careful and conscientious consumer choices. Here are more ideas to help you along the journey. 1. Burn beeswax or other natural candles to scent your home, instead of air fresheners. Just make sure to avoid palm oil in the ingredient list. 2. Choose kids’ toys Read More...
China is taking climate change and air pollution seriously
China is stepping up its efforts to crackdown on pollution as public anger continues to grow over damaging smog levels and environmental degradation. After inspections revealed that provinces are doing too little to implement pollution control efforts, the country is holding factories and other Read More...
Sweden's recycling is so revolutionary, the country is running out of trash
When it comes to recycling, Sweden sets an example for the rest of the world. Thanks to a government prioritization on sustainability, the Nordic country recycles 1.5 billion bottles and cans annually, a staggering amount for a population of about 9.6 million (in 2013). In terms of Read More...
World's largest food service companies make historic animal welfare announcement
The lives of billions of chickens raised in the U.S. each year will be improved. Compass Group and Aramark—two of the top three largest food service companies, which run dining operations at thousands of colleges, universities, hospitals, and stadiums nationwide—have made Read More...
Hate weeding? This robot will clean up your garden
The inventor of the bestselling vacuum cleaner robot has created a bot that cuts weeds. by Elizabeth Woyke November 15, 2016 What do vacuuming, mopping, and weeding have in common? They’re all repetitive household chores that must be done frequently. They’re also all targets for Read More...
Database helps plant 'right tree for the right place'
German researchers have compiled a 400-species database to encourage people to plant the "right tree in the right place" in urban areas. The team of scientists hope the information will help shift the focus away from the way trees look towards on the focus on biodiversity. Over the next decade, the Read More...
The “Walkcar” is the tiniest personal electric vehicle yet
The Walkcar is billed as "the world’s smallest car," and is capable of fitting into a laptop bag when not in use, while carrying its rider along the pavement at about 10 mph (16 kmh) for up to an hour when needed. It weighs in at just over 6 pounds (2.8 kg), and measures about the same as a 13" Read More...