Today’s Solutions: November 14, 2024

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.

Hand draws planet Earth with multicolored felt-tip pens on on a blue background.

World Happiness Report shines a light in dark times

The past few years have been incredibly challenging for the world, though it turns out we’re doing better than you might think!  According to an international research project, levels of social support and benevolence actually increased in this difficult time. This year is the 10th Read More...

Mobile phone from past to present on white background.

How AI helped Togo's poorest citizens

Back in 2020, we ran a story about a humanitarian project in Togo organized by the non-profit GiveDirectly, UC Berkeley, and Togo’s Ministry of Digital Economy. Its aim: use AI to deliver humanitarian aid in the form of money to the poorest populations in the country. Now some of the results Read More...

Doctor physician hand on happy elderly senior patient to comfort in hospital examination room or hospice nursing home or wellbeing county.

3 ways senior health rights improved post-Pandemic

The pandemic has been especially hard on the elderly population. Being in a high at-risk group meant that many older individuals could have no visitors and had their interactions hugely restricted even when living in the same home. This combined with staff shortages in hospices meant the levels of Read More...

NYC New York City Manhattan lower financial district downtown green trees in Zuccotti Park

In win for Earth, new S.E.C. rules would require climate disclosures

On Monday, the top financial regulator of the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), announced new regulations that would require disclosures from public corporations about their climate risks and carbon footprints. This marks a huge step towards acknowledging the reality and Read More...

Black hair, Crown Act

House passes bill promoting hair tolerance

Free expression is not just something we value at The Optimist Daily, it is an inalienable right. One big way in which we all express ourselves is through our individual hairstyles. Last week, Congress passed a bill that forbids discrimination based on hair. The discrimination Black Hair Read More...

Beautiful sunset in Nepal's Chitwan National Park

Nepal opens its first bird sanctuary in a win for endangered species

Good news for endangered bird species around the world as Nepal has just opened the first official bird sanctuary in the country.The protected area is home to about a dozen bird species, including the great hornbill and the Indian spotted eagle. These bird species are globally threatened. In a bid Read More...

American citizens hold up supportive signs during rally for Ukraine

How the US’s $13.6 billion aid package will help Ukraine

On Tuesday of last week, President Joe Biden signed a substantial spending bill that will provide $13.6 billion of financial support to Ukraine’s military and humanitarian aid as it resists and fights Russia’s invasion. Originally, the money allotted for the legislation sat at $10 billion, Read More...

ship funnel emitting black smoke, air pollution, carbon emissions, carbon tax, global warming

The EU’s plan for carbon emissions tariffs on imported goods

In an effort to reduce the importation of goods that generate environmental damage during their production processes, the EU has declared their support of a plan to impose carbon tariffs on said goods. The EU aims to introduce such a tax on materials such as aluminum, cement, electricity, Read More...

Two Ukrainian boy refugees in Chisinau, Moldova, at a refugee shelter

How to help Ukrainian refugees in Moldova

Since it began on the 24th of February, the war in Ukraine has forced millions of people to leave their homes. According to the UNHCR, more than 3 million people have already fled, and many more are expected to leave as the situation escalates. A great number of these people have sought refuge in Read More...

Green hydrogen take off

How green hydrogen is taking off

Hydrogen is key to a major energy shift in our society. Many sectors of the economy and the power grid can decarbonize by switching to green hydrogen.  The market for hydrogen is expected to grow to $2.5 trillion by 2050, and many industries, such as air travel, see the writing on the wall. Read More...