Energy
Transitioning to a world powered by renewable energy is key to tackling climate change. Here you can find the latest good news related to our clean energy transition, covering wind, solar, green hydrogen, hydropower, and more.
Why now is the best time to install solar panels on your home
If you believe solar panels are something you can’t really afford, you may want to hear what Sean Hollister of the Verge has to say about solar panels. For Hollister, solar panels always seemed like one of those Earth-friendly options that’s effectively a luxury good, much like a Tesla. But Read More...
This startup vaporizes trash and turns it into new products—without emissions
In recent weeks we have talked about waste-to-energy plants that burn waste and use the resulting heat to produce electricity. The problem, however, is that this process also produces toxic emissions. One Bill Gates-backed startup by the name of Sierra Energy has a better solution: rather than Read More...
Wastewater plants use a whole lot of energy. This could make them carbon-neutral
Coastal wastewater treatment plants may be a nasty but necessary way to handle the effluent from our cities, but a new study by Stanford University indicates that they could also double as power plants to make them energy independent and carbon neutral. By mixing freshwater from the plants with Read More...
Berkeley becomes the first city in America to ban natural gas in new buildings
For decades, natural gas was considered among the preferred energy sources for buildings and embraced as a bridge from dirtier fossil fuels to a green energy future. Now it seems that the transition period is coming to a close after the city of Berkeley passed a landmark ordinance that will ban Read More...
How food-spattered plastic waste could soon heat homes in the UK
When plastic waste is spattered with scraps of food, recycling it becomes impossible. But that could soon change after a group of scientists in the UK have discovered a way to use dirty plastic waste to produce hydrogen, which can heat homes and fuel cars without producing greenhouse gas emissions. Read More...
Kenya unveils Africa’s largest wind farm
With an eye on sustainable development, Kenya announced at the end of last year that it plans to move the country to 100 percent green energy by 2020. Now the nation has officially launched Africa’s largest wind power farm in a bid to boost electricity generating capacity and bring the country Read More...
With its “virtual” power plant, Oakland looks set to move away from fossil fuels
When the demand for electricity surges in Oakland, California, a power plant burning jet fuel switches on, pumping pollution into the western part of the city. But the plant will soon close—and will be replaced in part by a network of solar panels and batteries installed in affordable apartment Read More...
The shipping industry will be forced to use cleaner fuels in less than 6 months
From the return of sails on cargo ships to shipping giant Maersk’s quest to drastically reduce emissions, the shipping industry has been in the spotlight this week at The Optimist Daily—and for good reason: as one of the highest polluting industries in the world, much has to change in order to Read More...
Wind has generated enough energy in Scotland to power all of its homes twice
Scotland is proving it's well underway when it comes to reaching its goal of having an “almost completely” decarbonized energy system by 2050. Between January and June this year, wind turbines in the highland country generated 9,831,320 megawatt-hours worth of energy. The numbers, which were Read More...
China is now building the world’s largest waste-to-energy plant
On the outskirts of the city of Shenzhen in China, a mammoth structure is being constructed. But this is not just another giant building in China. Instead, it’s set to be the largest waste-to-energy plant the world has ever seen. With a population of 20 million people, the city produces a lot Read More...