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.
Mangrove restoration expands carbon credit benefits to coastal Kenya
Eight years ago, mangrove forests in the Kenyan village of Gazi were greatly depleted for use as firewood and construction poles while poaching ran rampant nearby. Today, the village has turned over a new leaf. The mangrove forests are thriving once again and poaching has fallen 90 percent over the Read More...
This rural development project is helping solve water scarcity in Djibouti
As a result of infrequent rain and little surface freshwater, more than 190,000 people in Djibouti, about 20 percent of the country’s population, lack access to clean drinking water. In rural areas where pastoralism provides a critical means of survival, the welfare of entire communities is Read More...
The rewilding movement is gaining momentum in Scotland
The natural world thrives when allowed to maintain the delicate balance of its ecosystems, but human activity has thrown nature off balance and we are now facing the consequences. In the past 50 years, approximately two-thirds of the world’s wildlife has been lost, and around 40 percent of plant Read More...
Groundbreaking treaty protects environmental activists in Latin America
After eight years of planning, a key treaty between Latin American and Caribbean countries finally went into effect last week. Called the Escazú Agreement, the groundbreaking international legislation is the first international treaty in the region and serves to both preserve the environment and Read More...
New vaccine offers potential breakthrough in the fight against malaria
We recently discussed how mRNA technology could provide more effective vaccines for diseases like malaria. It turns out a successful malaria vaccine is coming onto the scene sooner than anticipated with the announcement that researchers have developed a single-dose formula with at least 75 percent Read More...
California commits to end oil extraction in the state by 2045
Following the federal commitment to reduce US emissions by 50 percent by 2030, California has expanded upon its climate commitments with the new goal of phasing out all oil extraction in the state by 2045. Additionally, it has demanded that the Department of Conservation halt all fracking permits Read More...
US Commits to cutting emissions by 50% by 2030
Last week’s global summit on climate change yielded some pretty impressive climate commitments from a variety of world leaders. One of the prominent pledges is that from the US which committed to reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2030. This commitment is expected to be made official in a Read More...
North Dakota to offer Covid-19 vaccines to Canadian truck drivers
The border between the US and Canada has been closed since March of last year, but truck drivers continue to drive essential goods between the two countries. To protect these essential workers and extend the reach of unused Covid-19 vaccines in the US, North Dakota is extending vaccine eligibility Read More...
Santa Barbara institutes nation's first 100 percent rental assistance program
As families struggle financially during the pandemic, we’ve highlighted different solutions like mandatory mediations and legal assistance services that are helping avoid a housing crisis. Santa Barbara County is addressing the issue with a novel comprehensive rental assistance Read More...
New Mexico added to growing list of states to legalize recreational cannabis
Another state has decided to legalize the recreational use of cannabis this week, bringing the total of states to have done so since last November to seven. New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed legislation that will make the legalization of recreational marijuana official. The Read More...