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.
London is going all-in on car-free zones
Following in the footsteps of leaders in Milan and New York City who are heeding global calls to #BuildBackBetter from the coronavirus pandemic, London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Friday unveiled plans to create "one of the largest car-free zones in any capital city in the world" to improve local Read More...
State and federal governments are buying food to donate to food banks
As more and more Americans apply for unemployment benefits and food stamps, the US agricultural industry is simultaneously destroying the largest amount of food since the Great Depression. A couple weeks ago we discussed how Feeding America is advocating for a voucher program to connect Read More...
New bill would forgive student debt for doctors fighting the coronavirus
Recently, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed the federal government give front-line workers a 50 percent bonus for risking their lives during the pandemic. And while there is good intention in Cuomo’s proposal, it won’t go far for many young doctors, who on average leave medical school Read More...
This court case shows people can force governments to achieve climate goals
While it might seem like a strange time for a government to start making new climate commitments, the Netherlands had little choice. A court case brought by environmental groups in 2014 and upheld by the supreme court last year has forced the government to act to reduce emissions to 25% below Read More...
How to reopen our economies to work for people and the planet
A few weeks ago we shared a story about how Amsterdam is adopting a more sustainable doughnut model economy. Restarting our economies after COVID-19 gives us the unique opportunity to institute more sustainable and equitable economic policies. Here are some economic changes we can implement to help Read More...
California has set up a task force to rebuild a more inclusive economy
If California were a sovereign nation, it would be the fifth-largest economy in the world, slotted in between Germany and India. So the decisions the state makes as it begins to consider how and when to reopen businesses and reboot the economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis have major Read More...
A no-brainer: Canada has announced a ban on military-style assault weapons
After witnessing a mass shooting in Nova Scotia last month, Canada has instituted a nationwide ban on military-style assault weapons. The new law bans the use, purchase, sale, transportation, and import of 1,500 models of assault weapons, including the infamous AR-15. The process to obtain a Read More...
Crime survivors are turning pain into power to reimagine the justice system
Does a criminal justice system that prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation perpetuate a cycle of violence and inequality? The Alliance for Safety and Justice, a national group of crime survivors, thinks so. America's criminal justice system is one of the most obvious displays of pervasive Read More...
How the capital of Lithuania is turning itself into a vast open-air cafe
For many cities around the world, the need for social distancing has motivated cities to experiment with different urban planning schemes. Recently, we published a story about how Paris is creating 650 kilometers of pop-up “corona cycleways” to be ready for May 11 when the lockdown is eased in Read More...
Why reopening will look different for every state
States across the US are facing the difficult decision of how and when to reopen society. States like South Carolina and Georgia are moving to reopen businesses this week while others, like California and Washington, are warier of reducing social distancing. Here’s why the post-COVID-19 plan Read More...