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.
Mushrooms hold potential for sustainable building materials
In an innovative search for sustainable building materials, a group of researchers designed benches from mushrooms. They installed six benches at the University of British Columbia, grown from oyster mushroom spores and alder sawdust packed into molds. The designers think the most promising Read More...
How the new Clairy air purifier is making a difference in the lives of consumers
Air purity is a big issue in the world today. The recent news that many cities around the world are experiencing record levels of air pollution, along with many cities in Europe admitting that they won't reach air quality targets for at least five years, has convinced people and businesses that Read More...
UK study says zero carbon economy possible in 10 years
A zero-carbon emission economy is achievable in not more than 10 years, according to a study by the Sussex Energy Group. The technology of electric cars and solar and wind energy would have advanced sufficiently to completely phase out fossil fuels. The study acknowledges energy transitions often Read More...
US and China want to fast track Paris climate deal and speed up fight against global warming
The U.S and China are leading a push to fast track the Paris climate accord. The initial agreement was to have the climate accord go into force by 2020. The Americans and the Chinese are now aiming at 2017, if not this year. The accelerated timeline would be an advantage to the U.S as it would Read More...
Modelling shows move to 100% renewable energy would save Australia money
Transitioning Australia to 100% renewable energy by 2050 would cost less than continuing on the current path, according to a new modelling report. Building the infrastructure to supply renewable energy for all electricity, transport and industry would cost about $800bn between now and 2050, the Read More...
Fossil fuels continue to fall as green deals grow following Royal Bank of Scotland divestment
One of the world’s biggest financiers of fossil fuels is taking its business to green energy. A global trend of withdrawing investments in fossil fuels is sweeping the globe as Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has reduced its global lending to oil and gas companies. The bank is also doubling its Read More...
Apple recovered one ton of gold by recycling iPhones last year
Apple’s eco-friendly efforts paid off as the tech-giant reclaimed nearly one metric ton of gold by recycling its own products in 2015. At current prices, that’s equivalent to around $40 million worth of gold. As well as the gold, the company recovered three tons of silver, and over 1,300 tons Read More...
Indonesia bans new oil palm and mining concessions
Palm oil impacts a major part of your life—from the soap you use to the cookies you eat. The problem is that in many places ancient rainforests are cleared to make way for plantations to produce palm oil. Environmental organizations have been campaigning to end this deforestation. Now Indonesia, Read More...
UN climate chief: Here’s why Paris climate deal will work
Do you expect all nations to sign the Paris agreement on 22 April? We have about 130 countries that confirmed to come to New York, and the number grows every day. About half of them will be represented by their head of state or government. The Paris agreement will be open for signature during an Read More...
The Amazon rainforest might be home to more animals than previously thought, Stanford scientists show
By tapping the expertise of indigenous hunters, researchers found that conventional surveying techniques underestimate animal populations and miss species in the remote Amazon. Producing an accurate count is important for planning conservation efforts. Wikimedia Commons The lowland tapir is a Read More...