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.
The mental health benefits of raising the minimum wage
Back in November, we shared how Florida increased its minimum wage to $15 an hour. Now, the same minimum wage is being considered on the federal level. Breaking down the impacts of this change is beneficial for understanding why it is a solution. In addition to lower rates of poverty and higher Read More...
Indonesia provides a roadmap for halting deforestation
Deforestation continues to be one of the biggest environmental crises facing our world but looking at countries with effective deforestation mitigation policies can help us map out what saving the earth’s forests looks like on a global scale. One country that serves as a case study for turning Read More...
Optimist View: Taking Ownership & Choosing A Better Future
“All that you touch you Change. All that you Change, Changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change.” - Octavia E. Butler BY KRISTY JANSEN We humans have had and will continue to have a profound effect on this planet and the biosphere. It's no longer debatable and that’s Read More...
The Optimist View: "Our Moment of Choice" - Reflections on hope for the future
“A conscious business is a mission with a business, not a business with a mission.” - Steve Farrell, in Our Moment of Choice BY ARIELLE TIANGCO As I reflect on the unexpected events of this past year, I am confronted with a strange mix of emotions. Trepidation clashes with gratitude. Read More...
Bhutan: A case study for pandemic solutions
Countries like New Zealand and Vietnam have been praised for their rapid and comprehensive covid-19 response, but one of the most impressive pandemic successes comes from a small and often under-publicized country: Bhutan. On January 7, 2021, Bhutan reported its first covid-19 death. Not of Read More...
The Fair Housing Act now includes protections for LGBTQ+ individuals
The Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968 to protect from housing discrimination on the basis of “race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin,” but did not explicitly include sexual orientation or gender identity. Now, motivated by a recent Supreme Court ruling, the Department Read More...
Alex Trebek’s wardrobe donated to professional development nonprofit
Late “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek collected quite the extensive wardrobe in his more than 35 years hosting the game show. After his passing last year, his family has decided to donate a significant portion of his wardrobe to The Doe Fund to help those in need get back on their feet. The Read More...
The ozone hole is on track to close within 50 years
The Montreal Protocol banned the use of trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) in 1987 after CFCs were linked to ozone depletion. New atmospheric data shows that the protocol has been effective and the hole in the ozone is on schedule to close within the next 50 years. Researchers were concerned Read More...
This New Yorker built a new vaccine appointment website with less than $50
When New York City began distributing Covid-19 vaccines, senior residents eagerly started trying to make appointments to receive one. Unfortunately, the registration websites were glitchy and confusing, especially for older citizens with limited tech skills. Even Huge Ma, a 31-year-old software Read More...
America will have a climate corps once more thanks to new executive order
Big news! The Civilian Conservation Corps that was once so popular during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s time as a president is rising up from the ashes again under a slightly altered name. Under a newly signed executive order from the White House, a new Civilian Climate Corps is being established to Read More...