Today’s Solutions: January 16, 2025

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.

Premature births plummeted dur

Premature births plummeted during coronavirus lockdowns

Covid-19 has side effects. No, we aren’t talking about the side effects of the disease, but rather the impact of the shutdowns on our society. One positive outcome is the significant drop in premature births and potentially revolutionary knowledge about pregnancy. Doctors in many countries, Read More...

Our public transit systems can

Our public transit systems can help us fight racism. Here's how

In the US, the opportunities afforded to people can often rely on how connected their communities are transportation-wise. This is something Darnell Grisby knows well. Growing up as a Black man in Southern California during the 1980s and 1990s, Darnell Grisby saw how limited public transportation Read More...

Mayors want guaranteed income

Mayors want guaranteed income programs to help us recover from Covid-19

In early 2019, we published a story about Stockton mayor Michael Tubbs, who implemented a guaranteed income program in his city to help residents meet their basic needs. We have been closely following the program ever since, with the preliminary results from October showing that the 125 recipients Read More...

This bill will require all new

This bill will require all new public buildings to be bird-friendly

Birds, often migratory ones, are known to fly into the reflective facades of glass buildings. In fact, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology estimates almost one billion birds are killed annually from collisions with buildings in the US. In order to protect birds from this fate, the US House of Read More...

After near extinction, thousan

After near extinction, thousands of red kites now fly over British skies

In April, we shared a story about white-tailed eagles returning to England for the first time in more than 240 years. Then, just over a week ago, another conservation story out of England was published about plans to bring bison back to the UK for the first time in 6,000 years in order to Read More...

South Korea will invest $61b a

South Korea will invest $61b as part of its path towards a green recovery

As countries around the world are increasingly considering a green recovery from the pandemic, South Korea is looking to lead the way. Part of the South Korean New Deal, this "green" policy is the Asian country's response to the rising tide of climate change, while also boosting its economy — Read More...

Why solving hunger is more tha

Why solving hunger is more than just making food cheaper

When we look at the fact that 8.9 percent of the world’s population is undernourished, it’s tempting to point to cheaper food as the solution. In reality, types of food available, access points, and distribution networks are far more influential in solving long term food Read More...

Germany is offering generous s

Germany is offering generous subsidies to lure people to switch to EVs

If you’re looking to buy an electric vehicle in Germany, you’re in luck! Government subsidies aimed at boosting an electric kickstart to the auto industry means leasing the best-selling five-door Renault Zoe EV is now essentially free. Individuals and families who put off buying a new Read More...

A green recovery could create

A green recovery could create as many as 400m jobs by 2030

As scientists and business leaders from different industries, as well as religious and medical institutions, have recently stressed, driving a post-pandemic economic recovery that focuses on the environment is paramount in our efforts to solve the climate crisis. Now, a report brings in new data on Read More...

Why climate change lawsuits co

Why climate change lawsuits could benefit from COVID-19 court battles

Courts have on occasion enabled massive changes in the societal structure before politicians were ready to, including school desegregation in Brown v. Board of Education and the more recent ruling on marriage equality. Moreover, judicial decisions have strength: Once the legal precedent is Read More...