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.
Robot weed killers could create a sustainable future for agriculture
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On a scorching summer day, the fields of central Kansas shimmer with heat as Clint Brauer oversees a team of bright yellow robots navigating through rows of crops. These battery-powered devices, each four feet long and two feet wide, methodically remove weeds Read More...
Why glass food storage containers are a healthier, safer alternative to plastic
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the midst of a worldwide plastic calamity, small improvements at home can have a significant impact. One such adjustment is switching to glass food storage containers instead of plastic ones. This simple change not only reduces plastic consumption but also Read More...
South Africa enacts historic climate change act
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM South Africa enacted its first Climate Change Act, a comprehensive law that aims to tackle climate change by limiting greenhouse gas emissions and mandating municipal adaptation plans. The act seeks to connect South Africa's climate efforts with its Read More...
Don't feed bread to ducks! Here's what to serve instead
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When venturing out into the Great Outdoors, it’s important never to feed the wildlife because they can become accustomed to receiving food from humans and may put themselves at risk trying to acquire some. However, it’s not uncommon for local parks to Read More...
Ecuador's historic court ruling grants Quito's Machángara river the right to not be polluted
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On July 7th, an Ecuadorian court ruled that pollution violates the rights of the Machángara River, which flows through the country's capital, Quito. This decision, hailed as "historic" by environmental campaigners, highlights Ecuador's progressive approach Read More...
San Francisco launches the world's first fully hydrogen-powered ferry
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM San Francisco debuted Sea Change, the world's first commercial passenger ferry powered solely by hydrogen fuel cells. From July 19, this 75-seat sailboat provides free trips three days a week between Pier 41 between Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Read More...
Innovative tracking technology strives to keep wild polar bears and humans apart
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As summer ends in the Canadian Arctic, polar bears begin their trip inward, waiting for the ice to form. While tourists rush to see these gorgeous creatures, researchers are developing novel strategies to avoid hazardous confrontations between humans and Read More...
Namibia's sustainable solution to its housing crisis? Mushroom waste and weeds
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Namibia is experiencing a serious housing crisis, with roughly 90 percent of households unable to purchase a home. However, an innovative project, MycoHab, is offering a sustainable and promising solution by converting invasive bush and mushroom waste into Read More...
Preparing for a smokier future
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In light of the extreme coast-to-coast heat hitting the United States and Canada, this week we're bringing back earlier articles with advice and guidance on how to stay cool and safe during heatwaves and wildfire season. Wildfire smoke is hazardous to our Read More...
Beating the heat: Your comprehensive guide to staying cool and safe in extreme heat
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In light of the extreme coast-to-coast heat hitting the United States and Canada, this week we're bringing back earlier articles with advice and guidance on how to stay cool and safe during heatwaves and wildfire season. Summer's blistering heat can turn Read More...