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.
Finland is the first country to pass a legally binding carbon negativity act
Many countries are putting forth considerable efforts to fight climate change and reach ambitious targets of net-zero emissions. However, Finland has decided to take it up a notch. Finland’s parliament recently passed a new Climate Change Act which legally binds it to its commitment to Read More...
California is making composting a statewide practice
Composting is an easy and fun way to cut down on our carbon emissions while making our own fertilizer. Despite this, a lot of green waste like vegetable scraps and lawn trimmings wind up in landfills. Here they rot and release methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Read More...
Fair scheduling practices boost retail sales and employee well-being
Retail stores are notorious for unpredictable work schedules. Employees are often called in last-minute or sent home well before the end of their scheduled shift. They’ll work late one day and then open the store the next day, a practice known as “clopening.” This intense variation in work Read More...
California doubles down as a sanctuary state for abortion rights
It remains a strong possibility that Roe V. Wade will be overturned, and sanctuary states and cities are preparing themselves for an influx of women seeking abortions. California, perhaps, is the foremost among them. The California State Legislature is considering a package of 13 bills aiming Read More...
British Columbia decriminalizes small amounts of drugs to reduce deaths
Opioid-related deaths linked to fentanyl have more than doubled in Canada over the last five years. British Columbia has been one the hardest-hit regions, with deaths spiking during the Pandemic, and has asked for federal permission to decriminalize drugs. The government is now launching an Read More...
Australia appoints its first Indigenous supreme court judge
Australia celebrates the appointment of the first Indigenous judge to preside over the nation’s superior court, Barrister Lincoln Crowley QC. Crowley, who was appointed to the supreme court of Queensland, is a highly regarded barrister and former crown prosecutor. He first made Queen’s Read More...
Chicago Connected gave internet to 64,000 children in need
When the Pandemic hit and students went home for school, many lower-income families were disadvantaged due to a lack of reliable internet. In Chicago, many students in lower-income neighborhoods couldn’t get their work done, so the city decided to take action. In March 2020, the city started Read More...
G7 countries plan to stop fossil fuel development overseas
Environmental and energy ministers from the world’s largest economies agreed to stop funding any overseas fossil fuel development by the end of 2022. This will cut off investment in high carbon pollution programs that threaten the world from meeting its climate targets. The G7 countries Read More...
Plant-based-oil gel helps the medicine go down
It isn’t just children who can have trouble swallowing pills. Some adults find it difficult too, for example, adults who have suffered a stroke and need certain medications. Researchers from MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital developed a drug-delivering gel that is easier to swallow and Read More...
Rainbow 50p coin celebrates 50th year of Pride UK
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Pride UK movement, Britain’s Royal Mint introduced a special rainbow-colored 50 pence coin earlier in May. The coin, which is embossed with the colors of the Pride progress flag, was designed by east London artist and LGBTQ+ activist Dominique Holmes. Read More...