Today’s Solutions: January 09, 2025

Global Development

In an increasingly globalized world, international development efforts aim to improve living conditions, equity, and human rights around the world. Our global development section tracks this globalization and reports on specific equitable and sustainable development initiatives.

hand holds sign depicting Ukrainian flag with words: stand with Ukraine

The EU and the world stand with Ukraine

While Russian troops continue to push into Ukraine, more and more people all over the world and across Europe are banding together to show support and solidarity against this violent assault. Though these are scary and uncertain times, it is encouraging to see how humanity can find common ground to Read More...

Mirema community members replant tree

This Kenyan community regrew its forest

At The Optimist Daily, we love stories fighting deforestation or spurring reforestation. Forests are our friends. They host myriad wildlife, foster ecological diversity, consume carbon dioxide, and breathe out oxygen. They also do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to reducing floods.  In Read More...

Germany solar energy

Germany plans to be 100 percent renewable by 2035

Sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar are important for countries as well as the planet. They improve efficiency, can reduce weather-related blackouts, and they also help a country’s independence by allowing it to rely on itself for energy.  Germany announced Monday that its goal Read More...

Ukraine Support Image

Avoid sharing misinformation about Russia's invasion to support Ukraine

The Optimist Daily is committed to supporting truth in news and solutions-focused journalism for a better world. As we have witnessed for more than a month now, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia comes in the form of not only physical violence but also belligerent media manipulation and Read More...

Snapshot from the documentary “My Name Is Pauli Murray.” She sits with a blue jacket wearing glasses writing.

3 inspiring Black LBGTQ+ pioneers

Part of the cultural reassessment that's been occurring over these last few years has been the recognition that many contributions of both the Black and LBGTQ+ communities have been pushed under the rug for too long. In honor of Black History month, we wanted to shed light on three incredible Read More...

Solar power clean water

This solar-powered desalination system is a gamechanger

Desalination offers a lot of promise to communities that may face water scarcity in the future. For some, the problem is compounded by the potential scarcity of reliable electricity. As such, it has been the aim of many researchers to develop solar-powered desalination devices, which is a difficult Read More...

Three black women wearing golden goddess like clothing in a church like setting.

These refugee-owned businesses are flourishing

Contrary to popular belief, refugees actually benefit their host nation’s economies according to a study compiled from 30 years of data. Refugee-founded businesses have an enormous potential to invigorate economies, increase job opportunities, and reduce public spending. The Entrepreneurial Read More...

Thailand’s pristine Maya Bay

Thailand’s pristine Maya Bay reopens with eco-restrictions after tourism ban

If you haven’t been there yourself or seen it in tourism ads, you may recognize the iconic Maya Bay from the 2000 film The Beach, by Danny Boyle starring Leonardo DiCaprio. In the movie, Maya Bay is the setting of a jealously guarded secret beach, whose location cannot be exposed to the public Read More...

sign reads tax the rich

Tax strategies to support pandemic recovery

Let’s be honest—most of us hate paying taxes, even if we understand less why we pay them and support the projects that tax money funds, if we’re speaking plainly, most of us will agree that shelling out the cash for our taxes is kind of painful. However, this week more than 100 members of Read More...

Photograph of Amanda Lynch, chair of the WMO board wearing a white shirt and black suit.

World Meteorological Organization welcomes new leader

Amanda Lynch has been appointed to chair the board of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This United Nations agency has four main focuses: weather, climate, water, and environment. They research many aspects of the Earth’s behavior to provide vital information to the organization's 193 Read More...