Sustainable Urban Development
With cities expected to host about 70 percent of the world's population, sustainable urban development is key to making communities worldwide more resilient against the growing threat of climate change. Find out about the latest urban practices from across the world aiming to make our cities more sustainable and inclusive in these good-news stories from The Optimist Daily.
Revolutionary CBD coating keeps fruit fresh and reduces food waste
In a groundbreaking development, Thai researchers pioneered an invisible and edible coating infused with cannabidiol (CBD), presenting a viable answer to the troublesome problem of rotting fruit. This novel method has the potential to dramatically increase the shelf life of fruits, thereby Read More...
From diapers to dwellings: a surprising (and sustainable) housing solution
Access to affordable housing is a basic human right, yet it remains a major concern, especially in low-income countries. The cost of building materials, which can account for up to 80 percent of total construction costs, frequently stymies development. Despite the fact that other materials such as Read More...
Cheers to water recycling: Turning wastewater into beer
After years of drought, water recycling has become a pressing issue in California, and a water-recycling company is looking to raise awareness about the possibilities of water reuse. With the help of Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company, Epic Cleantec created a beer made from greywater recycled from a Read More...
Historic launch of the UK's first national grid-connected solar farm
Excellent news for the United Kingdom! The first photovoltaic (PV) solar farm was connected directly to the National Grid transmission network last week, marking a major milestone in the country's shift to renewable energy. Cero Generation and Enso Energy collaborated on this ground-breaking Read More...
AI makes wind farms safer for birds— a win for green energy expansion
For years, concerns over the potential harm wind turbines might cause to birds have been an obstacle to the expansion of wind energy. However, studies using artificial intelligence (AI) have shown that such worries are unfounded. The study analyzed vast amounts of data collected from bird Read More...
Writers start campaign to push publishing towards carbon neutrality
The weighty feel of a book in your hands; a window into the minds and hearts of people. Whether you're taking it to the park for some quiet time or reading it before bed, a good book is there as a companion, an advisor, and a guide. An age-old custom that reminds us of life before smartphones and Read More...
Report says 2022 may mark the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era
Breaking news! Based on a recent report by the independent climate and energy think tank Ember, global emissions from the power sector, which generates the most planet-warming carbon dioxide, may have peaked last year. This could potentially mark the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel Read More...
A clean and green Ramadan
This Ramadan, plastics will be absent from the meals of many Muslims breaking their fast in mosques across the globe. Iftars—the after-sunset meal that unites Muslims together during the holy month that began on March 22, 2023—often involve the use of plastic knives, forks, and bottles of Read More...
Amsterdam airport bans private jets to reduce noise and climate pollution
On November 5, 2022, scores of climate activists gathered in front of luxury planes and private jets at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, preventing them from taking off for several hours. Now, nearly five months later, the airport has declared that private jets would be prohibited, as well as Read More...
April is Earth Month! 5 effective Earth Day campaigns and the holiday's history
April is Earth Month, a time to celebrate and protect our world. The annual Earth Day celebration on April 22 draws more than a billion people, making it the greatest civic event in the world. Earth Month is an expansion of the Earth Day movement, which originated in the early 1970s in the Read More...