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.
Sweden passes climate law to become carbon neutral by 2045
Sweden has committed to becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2045, under a law passed in parliament on Thursday. Lawmakers voted 254 to 41 in favour of the proposal, which was developed by a committee involving seven out of eight parliamentary parties. Only the far right Swedish Democrats did Read More...
How to fix climate change: put cities, not countries, in charge
Climate change is the most urgent challenge facing humankind. Other issues make headlines: terrorism kills; inequality affects everyday life for billions around the globe. But climate is paramount, because in sustainability human survival itself is at stake. Why then have the nations governing the Read More...
Red states are acting on climate change
President Donald Trump has the environmental community understandably concerned. He and members of his Cabinet have questioned the established science of climate change, and his choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency, former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, has sued the EPA many Read More...
As the White House changes course on climate change, California presses forward
With cheese and shrimp cocktail piled on their plates, guests strolled the exhibit like patrons at an art gallery, sipping beer and pausing to ponder the displays that lined the room. But instead of paintings or sculptures, they were examining scientific charts about climate change at a state Read More...
California governor Brown: “California is not turning back, not now, not ever”
In his State of the State address, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. came out heavily against the country’s newly-elected President, Donald Trump, specifically as regards to the role California can play in combating the new President’s policies on immigration, health care, and renewable Read More...
California sets the most ambitious climate goal in the U.S.
California doesn’t care what the new federal global warming policies in Washington D.C. may be and has set the most ambitious goal to cut carbon emissions in the U.S. According to the newly released plan emissions will be cut 40 percent over 1990 levels by 2030. “We’ve got the scientists, Read More...
Massachusetts becomes the first state to tax Uber and Lyft
Several states have been exploring ways to squeeze more money out of the rapidly growing ride-hailing industry, but Massachusetts appears to have just beaten them to the punch. According to Reuters, Republican Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a 20-cent tax per trip on Uber and Lyft rides, Read More...
Why the sharing economy needs tougher rules
A report released last week by the Grattan Institute on services like Uber and Airbnb finds that such peer-to-peer services can provide large benefits to the economy, but that governments need to ensure that both consumers and providers are protected. Hoping the services will just go away is not an Read More...
UK offers tax breaks to boost sharing economy
The UK government has announced a little extra tax relief aimed at encouraging what the chancellor termed ‘micro-entrepreneurs’ in yesterday’s budget — albeit the other beneficiaries here are likely to be gigantic tech platforms like Airbnb if Brits take up the invitation to rent out Read More...
Seattle votes to allow Uber drivers to form unions
Uber Technologies Inc. was dealt a setback in Seattle, where the city council voted unanimously to give collective bargaining rights to drivers. The new law allows workers who drive for ride-hailing services, such as those from Uber and Lyft Inc., to form unions and negotiate wages with the Read More...