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.
Virginia restores voting rights for the previously incarcerated
Last year, we wrote about a proposed bill in Washington DC that would end felony disenfranchisement in the district. Fortunately, that bill passed and now the state of Virginia is eying a similar policy. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced an executive action this week that would restore Read More...
Australia launches first National Plastic Plan
Plastic pollution is a huge concern, especially for marine environments. To tackle the growing plastic crisis, Australia has announced a new “National Plastic Plan” which aims to comprehensively reduce plastic pollution and its associated health and environmental hazards. The new plan Read More...
Chicago suburb slated to implement the country’s first reparations program
The concept of reparations has gained traction in recent years as a starting point for compensating for the racism and discrimination Black Americans have historically experienced and continue to face in society. Now, one Chicago suburb is on the verge of becoming the first in the country to pilot Read More...
UK joins the EU in passing “right to repair” mandates for appliances
Right to repair has been a hot topic lately as France and the broader EU implement sustainable policies to make fixing old electronics more feasible. Starting this summer, consumers in the UK can feel more confident in their appliance purchases as well as a new law mandates that producers make Read More...
Cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells would yield billions in benefits
New research is revealing time and time again that often the most sustainable solution is also the most economically viable. The latest example of this phenomenon is found in abandoned US oil and gas fields. New research from Hendrix College has found that cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells Read More...
Research: The success of San Francisco’s pandemic hotel housing program
When the pandemic hit, San Francisco was one of the cities that took advantage of empty hotel rooms to safely house the unsheltered and slow the spread of Covid-19. Now, almost a year down the line, researchers are understandably curious about the impact this public health move had on the city’s Read More...
Embracing acts of service can boost professional productivity
If you’re finding little motivation at work, feeling uninspired, or just sluggish during daily tasks, you may be suffering from a productivity slump. With limited social contact and the stress of the pandemic, it’s normal to see a lapse in productivity, but embracing acts of service can be a Read More...
Northeastern project shows how green infrastructure saves lives and money
We all know that biking and walking are good for our physical health, but it turns out the benefits of promoting these healthy transportation options go far beyond personal health and wellness. A new study analyzing the health and economic benefits of a proposed green infrastructure project found Read More...
Four states collaborate to protect Delaware River Basin from fracking
The Delaware River Basin provides drinking water for 13 million people and is home to hundreds of species of fish and other animals. In a victory for all those who rely on this natural ecosystem, the governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York, who make up the Delaware River Basin Read More...
FCC approves internet subsidies to bridge digital divide during pandemic
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital equity, but it has also emphasized the digital divide that still exists. In an effort to bridge this divide, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to provide internet subsidies to Read More...