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.
Vancouver moves to make all birth control free
In a move to make contraceptive options free for men and women across Vancouver, City Council Member Christine Boyle has proposed a budget amendment that would provide no-cost prescription birth control for women in the city under Canada’s universal healthcare plan. Health centers across Read More...
A new online tool is helping cities and businesses find the EVs they need
The technology driving clean transportation is rapidly evolving, so much so that it’s hard to keep track. That’s why a transportation nonprofit focused on cleantech has launched a new online tool called The Zero-Emission Technology Inventory to help cities and businesses know exactly what’s Read More...
Judge tosses oil and gas leases on almost 1 million acres of public land
For everyone who cares about our public lands, we have good news: A federal judge banned oil and gas leases on nearly one million acres of public lands that are important habitat for the greater sage grouse, the largest type of grouse (type of bird) in the US. The ruling goes against a White Read More...
An old coal plant and a new deal would benefit LA and the Navajo Nation
If you live in Los Angeles, you probably didn’t know that until last year the Navajo Nation had helped power the city with energy from a reservation coal plant. The plant was shut down, but this partnership will live to see another, greener, day. The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to Read More...
This Santa Cruz farm is helping the homeless gain stable employment
After spending a night in Santa Cruz’s first homeless shelter, local philanthropist Paul Lee realized residents were deprived of an environment that allowed them to dream of a better future. That’s why he founded the Homeless Garden Project in 1990, a project that gives homeless people the Read More...
Fayetteville is proving climate resilience is for all towns big and small
CDP, an international nonprofit that examines climate risk for hundreds of local governments and corporations across the globe, released their latest A list earlier this month. One of the top 34 cities praised for their climate preparedness and commitment to climate action was Fayetteville. You Read More...
EU to force makers of smartphones to install easily replaceable batteries
Back in the age of flip phones, replacing cellphone batteries used to be quite easy. Now, however, smartphones keep their battery compartments sealed off, meaning that users often have to replace the entire device or navigate a complicated repair process when they can no longer hold a charge. This Read More...
New York is enlisting Billy Idol to stop drivers from idling
Cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles are the source of 11 percent of fine particulate air pollution and 28 percent of nitrogen oxide pollution in New York City. On Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced a new initiative to try to make a dent in that pollution by harnessing the star power of, Read More...
Lithuania recycles 92% of its beverage containers thanks to deposit scheme
There are billions of drinks containers produced every year, but only a small fraction of that amount is recycled, while the rest ends up in landfills and the environment. In Lithuania, things are a little bit different. Thanks to a progressive plastic deposit scheme implemented in 2016, the Read More...
Luxembourg introduces free public transportation nation-wide
Luxembourg achieved a major global milestone this week as it became the first country on Earth to make public transportation free nation-wide. The initiative is an effort to encourage citizens, and the country’s 214,000 daily foreign commuters, to use more environmentally friendly methods of Read More...