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.
The hydrogen plane that represents the future of air travel
A hydrogen-fueled airplane made its maiden flight in Germany this past month, emitting nothing but water vapor as it flew across the sky. The electrical system on board is emission-free, and makes a lot less noise than a conventional fuel engine. The plane itself is rather small, with four seats on Read More...
Seaweed could slow down emissions from cow burps
The world isn’t slowing down when it comes to meat consumption, meaning emissions from the meat industry are only rising. Since people aren’t stopping their habits, scientists may have found a solution for cutting emissions in the form of seaweed. They have found a type of seaweed suitable for Read More...
Airbnb users can now get a $1,000 discount on solar panels
Have you used Airbnb before? Then you can get a discount on solar panels. The short-term home rental company is partnering with SolarCity to give Airbnb users a $1,000 rebate on any purchase of solar panels. The rebate is available to any Airbnb user — guest or host — with a home in one of Read More...
Technology can help make agriculture cleaner and pesticide free
On the long run pesticides create more problems than they solve. They destroy the soil and ultimately that leads to lower yields. They are not good for our bodies either. That’s why organic agriculture is best. But technology can help. Scientists are investigating the plant microbiome: the Read More...
Whales’ dung is the real reason we need to stop hunting them
Sometimes it’s pink, sometimes greeny-brown. But whatever the colour, whale dung could be the unlikely catalyst for ending whaling. The role of whale faeces in regenerating fish stocks will occupy centre-stage this week and next at the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission Read More...
Indigenous land rights bring economic, not just environmental benefits
Secure indigenous land rights not only bring environmental benefits, they can also foster economic development, according to a new report released by the World Resources Institute. The report, Climate Benefits, Tenure Costs: The Economic Case for Securing Indigenous Land Rights, describes how Read More...
The world’s largest McDonald’s franchisee is going totally cage-free
Arcos Dorados, the world’s largest McDonald’s franchisee and the largest operator of fast-food restaurants in Latin America, said in a statement that it will serve exclusively cage-free eggs by 2025, a shift that will impact the welfare of millions of animals. The new policy, developed Read More...
It's not all bad: Here are some of the many 'bright spots' that offer climate hope
Amongst all the doom and gloom that surrounds news about climate change, an international group of scientists are providing the world with real examples of initiatives that enhance people’s health and well-being while protecting the environment at the same time. One example of this is happening Read More...
More than 190 countries agree on deal to limit global warming from air conditioners
This past Saturday morning in Rwanda, a landmark deal was agreed upon that will limit emissions of key climate change-causing pollutants found in air conditions. The deal will phase down the use and production of hydrofluorocarbons, known as HFCs, for use in air conditioners. HFCs are thousands of Read More...
What to look for when you're buying land for permaculture
Some of the most popular posts I write feature people who have purchased land and transformed it into small-scale farms and permaculture small holdings. From chicken tractors to food forests, these stories tend to focus on what people have done once they have purchased the land. But what about Read More...