Politics
Having a difficult time finding positive news about national and global politics? Search no further! From public policy to positive leadership to democracy efforts, find the latest good news stories in the world of politics at The Optimist Daily.
The mayoral candidate showing us all what it means to practice what you preach
For mayoral candidate Randi Dorman, improving the city of Tuscon’s transportation has become a cornerstone of her campaign. The real estate developer wants to electrify the city’s bus fleet, expand the city’s streetcar system, and make the city more cycling-friendly. But rather than just say Read More...
Poland is scrapping its income tax for young people to stop 'brain drain'
In the past 15 years, 1.7 million young people have left Poland in a bid to find better job opportunities abroad. This has resulted in a ‘brain drain’, leaving considerable skill shortages across the economy, especially in the construction and manufacturing industries. Alarmed by the loss of Read More...
New bill seeks to ban “addictive” features on social media platforms
Today, most of the social media apps and websites we use daily are designed in such a way as to keep us hooked, instead of helping us. Social media addiction has become a serious problem of modern society, and the tech companies behind these platforms are continuously using tricks to exploit Read More...
Scientists are demanding a fifth Geneva Convention to protect nature from war
When we think of war crimes, we typically think of actions like taking hostages, torturing prisoners, or enlisting child soldiers. Now a group of scientists wants to add another item to that list: harming the environment. An open letter signed by 24 prominent scientists from around the world Read More...
Massachusetts wants to fight traffic congestion with a tax credit
Massachusetts is said to have some of the worst vehicular traffic on Earth, with many workers commuting at least 90 minutes one way to work. The state wants to fix this badly, which is why they are getting set to offer what is likely the first of its kind in the nation: a tax credit for employers Read More...
This is what happened when Madrid’s new government tried repealing the car ban
When Madrid’s new administration came to power this past May, it seemed European city car bans were in peril. It’s become somewhat of a trend to ban cars from major city centers in Europe, but the city’s new government promised to scrap the law that had seen almost all private cars disappear Read More...
The EU steps up its efforts to protect and restore the world’s forests
Deforestation is responsible for 11 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, half of which are the result of internationally traded agriculture products. On its own, the EU accounts for as much as 36 percent of all global imports of crop and livestock products associated with Read More...
Oregon passes law that will allow school kids to take mental health absence days
When Oregon students go back to school this year, they'll be able to take mental health days without risking an unexcused absence as the result of a new law that was proposed by a group of high schoolers. The students behind the measure say it’s meant to change the stigma around mental health Read More...
This city in India offers free meals in exchange for plastic waste
It’s no brainer that plastic waste is harmful to the environment. A lot of people and organizations around the world are doing their bit in tackling the issue, however, a lot more needs to be done. In a rather brilliant manner to help save the environment, India just launched its very first Read More...
English lawmakers want to require all new homes to install electric car chargers
How do you motivate people to start driving electric cars? According to English lawmakers, one way could be to install electric chargers in all new homes. New draft legislation has just been released in the UK that would require every new home to include a built-in electric car charging port. If Read More...