Policy Making
Strong public policy leads to more cohesive, resilient, and sustainable societies. In this section, find out about the latest legislations from around the world aimed at making our world a better place.
California leads the charge: why banning polystyrene foam is a game-changer
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As of January 1st, California, the fifth-largest economy in the world, officially banned the use of most polystyrene foam food containers. This move, part of the state’s broader fight against plastic pollution, targets items like clamshell containers and Read More...
Belgium pioneers EU ban on disposable vapes as Milan acts on outdoor smoking
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Belgium officially stepped into the spotlight as the first EU nation to ban the sale of disposable vapes, a move it hopes will protect young people from nicotine addiction and reduce environmental waste. The ban, which came into effect on January 1, was Read More...
The Azores lead Europe's largest marine protected area network—a win for conservation
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Portugal constructed Europe's largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in the Azores, protecting an astonishing 287,000 square kilometers of water. These safeguards assist diverse ecosystems that support deep-sea corals, whales, manta rays, and sharks, Read More...
Hospitality workers’ wages get unprecedented boost with 30% wage increases
In an unexpected turn of events, the hospitality industry, long associated with some of the lowest-paid occupations, is undergoing a wage revolution. Over the last four years, salary raises in the industry have pushed hospitality workers' wages up by almost 30 percent, a significant increase that Read More...
UK aims to tackle drink spiking to protect women and girls
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The UK government announced a game-changing move to tackle spiking, a crime that has haunted nightlife and endangered public safety for years. On November 24, Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed plans to make spiking a standalone criminal offense, a move Read More...
UK government unveils bold plan to achieve 95% green energy by 2030
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a historic step to reshape the UK's energy future, Ed Miliband, Secretary of Energy and Climate Change, revealed the government's "Clean Power 2030" strategy. The initiative, described as the most ambitious energy reform in decades, seeks to generate 95 Read More...
New Jersey takes a stand: a landmark law against book bans in libraries
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM New Jersey is making news as the latest state to prohibit book restrictions in public and school libraries. Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation on Monday, December 9 that prohibits censorship while also protecting libraries from legal and criminal Read More...
TikTok's ban on beauty filters for teens is a step toward safer social media
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In an era where social media often sets the tone for beauty standards, TikTok’s decision to restrict beauty filters for under-18s signals a significant shift. Teenagers will soon be unable to use filters that artificially enlarge eyes, plump lips, or smooth Read More...
Colombia outlaws child marriage in landmark move
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Colombia made a historic move to protect its youngest citizens by prohibiting child marriage. After nearly two decades of passionate campaigning, the Colombian Congress passed legislation prohibiting marriage before the age of 18, closing a 137-year-old gap Read More...
UN Biodiversity Summit agrees to include Indigenous voices in conservation decisions
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP16) closed with a revolutionary agreement to formally integrate Indigenous peoples in nature protection decisions, marking a watershed moment in environmental history. The decision, announced in Cali, Read More...