Science
From mathematics and AI to medicine and psychology, The Optimist Daily features the latest news on discoveries, technological advances, and breakthroughs in the world of science. Our Science section is here to engage and enlighten you.
America's top 5 renewable energy companies
If we have any chance of avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, we will have to completely embrace renewable energy. The reason why is simple: Renewable energy produces little or no greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity production is over a third of U.S. GHG emissions, and the majority of Read More...
Why is corporate America picking wind power over solar?
Businesses are buying more wind and solar electricity than ever before to help lower their carbon footprint in offices, stores and factories. But the two sources of renewable energy are far from getting equal love from corporate America. Wind energy has long been the favorite. Businesses, not Read More...
Yes, example Las Vegas, now entirely powered by renewable energy
In many ways, Las Vegas is a testimony to the extravaganza of the western world. Exaggeration is the mantra of this city, and that applies to its energy use too. That's why it's a major step forward that Las Vegas has reached the goal of 100 percent renewable energy. The city has been working on Read More...
This new "mobility service" app will help Helsinki ditch car ownership
In Helsinki, it will soon be cheaper—and arguably more convenient—to subscribe to a new "mobility service" than own a car. If you need to go somewhere, you pull up a new app, which calculates the best way to get there—public transit, a bike-share bike, taxi, a rental car, or a combination. Read More...
Bringing solar to Mexicans without electricity
“Can you imagine spending an entire day without electricity? Can you imagine the desperation you would feel? Can you imagine not being able to use the Internet, your cell phone, your appliances, or your lights? Now imagine living without electricity every day of your life and relying on Read More...
The Energy Department helped start a revolution
As the Obama administration prepares to leave office, it is seeking to underscore just how much has changed in the last eight years in the way we get energy — and to take some credit for it. Since 2008, costs for wind and solar have plunged by 40 and 60 percent, respectively, according to an Read More...
Emerging markets are deploying more renewables than developed nations
Climatescope, a new report from BNEF, was released last week, and while many news outlets highlighted the finding that solar is now cheaper than wind, the report contains numbers that signal another major shift in renewable energy. The report focuses on "clean energy market Read More...
Mercedes’ Groove: from selling one car to one person, to selling cars to share
The sharing economy driven by the internet deeply changes business and society. In the past century, car makers have sold one car to one person one time and then waited for them to wear out that car and come back to buy a new one. Increasingly, car manufacturers are producing cars for people to Read More...
More than $5 trillion worth in investments are selling off fossil fuel assets
A look at the numbers tells us that the end of fossil fuels is nearing. On Monday, it was revealed that investors worth more than $5 trillion have now committed to dumping their fossil fuel stocks. That means that in just over a year, the value of divestment has doubled, thanks in part to the many Read More...
Global coal demand drops for second year in a row
Coal demand fell in 2015 for the second year in a row and coal consumption is expected to stay below peak levels in 2016 as well, according to a new from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA also said that for all promises of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to put coal miners back to Read More...