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.
Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize unite to protect Great Mayan Jungle
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On August 15, Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize announced a bold regional pact: the creation of the Great Mayan Jungle Biocultural Corridor, a sprawling reserve that will cross national borders to protect one of the world’s most vital tropical forests. Covering Read More...
UK police go undercover in Surrey as runners to crack down on street harassment
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Eighteen people have been arrested in Surrey, UK, after undercover police officers posed as female joggers to identify and intervene in cases of street harassment. The month-long pilot program called “Jog On”, launched by Surrey Police, sent plainclothes Read More...
The slow demise of fur: how fashion, policy, and activism helped millions of animals
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In 2014, over 140 million animals like minks, foxes, and raccoon dogs were farmed and killed for their fur. By 2023, that number dropped to around 20 million, according to a Humane World for Animals analysis using global and industry data. Though it excludes Read More...
New York becomes first state to mandate all-electric new buildings
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM New York has officially become the first state in the U.S. to require most new buildings to be constructed without fossil fuels. On July 25, the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council finalized regulations that mandate all-electric systems for most Read More...
Amsterdam adds tiny canal staircases to save wildlife and pets
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Amsterdam is taking a thoughtful step to protect the animals that call this city of canals home. Following a rise in accidental drownings, including 19 cats so far this year, city councillors have approved a plan to install hundreds of small escape staircases Read More...
LA homelessness declines for a second consecutive year
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Los Angeles County’s homelessness crisis has long loomed large, but new data offers a rare glimmer of progress: for the second consecutive year, the number of unhoused residents has declined. According to a recent report from the Los Angeles Homeless Read More...
UN court clears path for climate lawsuits: what it means for vulnerable nations
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The Hague has delivered a powerful message: the world's most vulnerable nations now have legal standing to hold major polluters accountable. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion confirming that countries may sue each other over Read More...
UK moves to ban NDAs that silence workplace harassment victims
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The UK government is set to ban the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that silence victims of workplace harassment and discrimination. This change marks a historic turning point in labor rights, aiming to give employees greater power to speak openly Read More...
New Jersey takes bold step toward universal free preschool and kindergarten
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM New Jersey is ushering in a new era for early childhood education. In a move celebrated by parents, educators, and advocates alike, Governor Phil Murphy signed three pivotal bills into law on July 9, advancing the state toward a future where every child has Read More...
Lisbon leads Europe with first citywide reusable cup system
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Lisbon has just taken a big, refreshing step toward sustainability, perfectly timed for Plastic Free July. With the launch of a citywide reusable cup system, it becomes the first European capital to implement a deposit-and-return scheme designed to reduce Read More...