Today’s Solutions: November 13, 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.

Italian countryside scenery with the Dolomites in the background

Italy’s passes new law that makes its constitution greener

Italy’s natural beauty is iconic. Indeed, its rolling green hills, lush forests, and fertile river valleys have made it not only one of the most agriculturally prosperous lands in Europe but also a popular tourist destination. That being the case, environmental groups have long voiced their Read More...

Happy father with daughter on his shoulders

New basic income pilot expands access to immigrant families

From boosting infant brain activity to generally improving people’s quality of life, there are many cases documenting the benefits of implementing guaranteed basic income programs. Inspired by the growing body of evidence about these benefits, a new pilot project in New Mexico will soon study its Read More...

little shark swimming

Hawaii is the first US state to enact ban on shark fishing

On the first day of the year, January 1st, 2022, Hawaii became the first state in the US to enact a ban on shark fishing. House Bill 553 bill was first passed last year and under the new legislation, and now it is a misdemeanor to knowingly capture, entangle, or kill a shark in state marine Read More...

Industry is finally taking PFA

Industry is finally taking PFAS destruction technologies seriously

What are PFAS? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used chemicals that break down very slowly over time thanks to the extreme strength of the carbon-fluoride bond. Due to their long lasting nature, they are used in clothing, furniture, heat-resistant non-stick cooking surfaces, Read More...

child in yellow rain coat holds sign reading: THERE'S NO PLANET B

High-schooler presents first student-written bill for UK climate education

Youth climate activist Scarlett Westbrook decided that she was fed up with the lack of formal education UK students receive on the devastating climate crisis. At one point during a geography exam, she was even asked to list the benefits of climate change — and while this was disappointing, she Read More...

sign reads tax the rich

Tax strategies to support pandemic recovery

Let’s be honest—most of us hate paying taxes, even if we understand less why we pay them and support the projects that tax money funds, if we’re speaking plainly, most of us will agree that shelling out the cash for our taxes is kind of painful. However, this week more than 100 members of Read More...

Photograph of Amanda Lynch, chair of the WMO board wearing a white shirt and black suit.

World Meteorological Organization welcomes new leader

Amanda Lynch has been appointed to chair the board of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This United Nations agency has four main focuses: weather, climate, water, and environment. They research many aspects of the Earth’s behavior to provide vital information to the organization's 193 Read More...

produce at market in milan

This ingenious solution tackles food waste and insecurity at once

Food waste is a particularly infuriating problem because so much is wasted. According to nonprofit FoodPrint, almost 40 percent of all food in America, much of it still edible, is chucked out. All while at least a tenth of the world’s population (around 800 million people) are struggling with Read More...

Car road transformed into pedestrianised street

Berlin plans to have the world’s largest car-free urban area

In recent years, many cities around the world have become much more aware of the plight of designing our urban spaces with a car-centric mentality. In Europe in particular, cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, and Stockholm are well ahead when it comes to reclaiming urban space from cars in Read More...

the young filipina girls in the Philippines

The Philippines bans child marriage to help stop child abuse

According to a report issued last year by the United Nations Children’s Fund, more than half a billion girls and women across the globe were married as children, meaning under the age of majority (18). The areas with the highest rates of child marriage are found in sub-Saharan Africa and South Read More...