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.
How ranked-choice voting strengthens our electoral system
The US electoral system is far from perfect, however, ranked-choice voting could be a viable and relatively easy-to-implement method to improve it. Back in 2019, New Yorkers voted to try this ranked-choice system for local primary and special elections, making it the largest voting population Read More...
EPA announces plan to cut back hydrofluorocarbon emissions
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a lesser-known pollutant used in air conditioners and refrigerators. Despite being less emphasized than CO2 in the effort to slow climate change, HFCs are actually more effective at trapping heat. Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this Read More...
South Africa will end the breeding of lions in captivity
Following a two-year study on the effects of raising and breeding wild animals in captivity, South Africa has announced that it will ban the breeding of lions in captivity for hunting, cub petting, and for the commercial lion-bone trade. Many tourists take photos with lion cubs bred in Read More...
Florida is cracking down on the exotic pet trade
Reports of pythons eating local cats have become more and more common in Florida as exotic pet ownership has gone off the rails. Snakes, iguanas, and other reptiles are posing a serious ecological threat in the state where many people adopt exotic pets only to realize how difficult they are to care Read More...
Germany to return 19th century looted art to Benin City
The Benin Bronzes have long stood as a symbol of the vast amount of art looted from Africa during colonization. Debates have been going on for years about their restitution, and now, Germany is set to return the precious artifacts looted by British soldiers in the 19th century to their rightful Read More...
The EU signs historic deal that makes its climate goals legally binding
The European Union has signed a major climate deal with ambitious new targets to curb climate change, pledging to make them legally binding. Under the new law, an agreement between member states and the European Parliament, the bloc will cut carbon emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030, Read More...
Hawaii marks threat of climate change with state of emergency declaration
Hawaii is poised to take a momentous step in the recognition of the severity of climate change with the adoption of the State Senate Concurrent Resolution 44. Under the new bill, Hawaii will officially declare a state of emergency in response to the threat of climate change. Although this may Read More...
German high court rules in favor of young climate activists
The consequences of human-induced climate change are looming, and young people around the world are making it clear that they refuse to accept the inadequate efforts of today’s governments to curb carbon emissions and protect what’s left of the world’s ecosystems. This past Thursday, Read More...
This low-cost filter fits directly onto jerry cans to provide potable water
According to the World Health Organization, at least two billion people worldwide use a contaminated drinking water source, leading to tens of thousands of deaths associated with unsafe water every year. To help expand access to clean drinking water where needed and save lives in the process, Read More...
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...