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.
University students transform workouts into power with energy-generating gym equipment
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine getting on the treadmill and knowing that every stride you take burns calories and helps keep the lights on. At Brown University, this is exactly what is happening. The Nelson Fitness Center has transformed exercise into a green energy initiative, Read More...
Texas blends clean energy and sustainable farming with the help of 6,000 sheep
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As the United States accelerates its shift to renewable energy, Texas is pioneering an unusual approach that combines solar power generation and sustainable agriculture. This method, known as agrivoltaics, combines solar panels with agricultural practices to Read More...
How integrated environmental projects balance nature conservation and people's well-being
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Reforestation and forest protection are more important than ever before as a result of climate change and the dwindling biodiversity of our planet. However, these initiatives must consider the livelihoods of communities that reside in or near these essential Read More...
Sea lion film crew helps with ocean floor mapping and species conservation
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In an unusual blend of biology and technology, researchers are working with sea lions to explore undiscovered ocean territory. Scientists can now gain unique insights into the seafloor by outfitting these marine creatures with cameras, opening up new Read More...
Is your home at risk for natural disasters? Here's what to do if it is
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Extreme weather events are becoming more commonplace thanks to climate change. For homeowners and for those on the market, considering a home’s potential vulnerability to natural disasters is becoming a top priority. Proximity to work and good schools, or Read More...
Do you have mushrooms on your lawn? Here's why that's a good thing
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Bright red toadstools, strange jelly fungus, and round puffball mushrooms growing in your lawn may appear worrisome at first glance. But, according to horticultural experts, mushrooms in your lawn are a good sign of soil health. Understanding the presence of Read More...
G20 nations support Brazil's 'super-rich' tax proposal to fight climate change and poverty
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In an unprecedented move, G20 finance ministers agreed to levy a wealth tax on the super-rich. The tax, which may raise over €230 billion ($248.4 billion) per year, is intended to address critical global challenges such as climate change and poverty. A Read More...
Plastic bag usage on UK beaches plummets thanks to mandatory charges
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM According to a recent Marine Conservation Society (MCS) report, the number of plastic bags collected on UK beaches has dropped by an incredible 80 percent in the past decade. This large decline coincides with the implementation of required levies for Read More...
Dogs are rewilding the quaint town of Lewes' urban nature reserve
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a joyful and unique attempt to rewild an urban nature reserve in the picturesque town of Lewes, East Sussex, local dogs have been adorned with seed-filled backpacks to simulate the ecological role once served by wolves. This project, coordinated by the Read More...
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...