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.
Here's how to make the transition to 100% renewable energy
The question no longer is whether we can make a transition to 100% renewable energy, but how we're going to achieve this. Richard Heinberg, of the Post Carbon Institute, and David Fridley, staff scientist of the energy analysis program at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, have worked on a Read More...
South Africa just opened the continent’s first solar-powered airport
South Africa has opened the continent’s first solar-powered airport in Western Cape. George Airport which serves over 600,000 passengers annually, has launched a clean energy project which, during its first phase, will contribute around 40% of the airport’s electricity needs. Once Read More...
Renewables agency invests in energy retailer that wants to sell less
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) has backed a $5m investment in Mojo Power, an electricity retailer that helps households consume less energy and is already taking customers in New South Wales. The company works on a subscription model, where a monthly fee gives customers access to Read More...
The electric car revolution is now scheduled for 2022
The long-awaited, oft-delayed electric car revolution is now scheduled for 2022. That’s according to a report from research firm Bloomberg New Energy Finance, which posits that in just six years, the biggest obstacle to the sale of EVs—they cost too much—will be obliterated and Read More...
These states are adding tons of wind energy
On Tuesday, the American Wind Energy Association posted a very interesting list of new records being set by U.S. wind energy this month. For instance, in the power grid for the state of Texas — known as ERCOT, or the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas — wind generated 14,023 Read More...
Can a 16-mile stretch of road become the world's first sustainable highway?
There are 223,000 miles of heavily trafficked roads in the United States. They slice through landscapes, connecting communities and economies, but also bisecting and contaminating nature. Transportation accounts for more than 25% of total U.S. emissions, and busy roads can produce up to five times Read More...
California is about to get way more charging stations for its electric cars
The West Coast Electric Highway has steadily grown over the years, providing electric-car drivers with charging infrastructure to make trips longer than their cars' rated ranges. It's a network of public charging stations that actually spreads across multiple highways, with I-5 serving as the Read More...
Two-thirds of 2030 Hondas will be electrified or zero emission
Fifteen years is a short time in the life of the auto industry, just two complete product cycles for the average high-volume vehicle. But by "around 2030," according to Honda's CEO, his company will "strive" to make fully two-thirds of its cars electrified in some way--including hybrids, plug-in Read More...
New York's plan to reach 50 percent renewable energy
In December, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo directed the state's regulators to come up with a plan to reach 50 percent renewables by 2030. Early last week, the New York Department of Public Service (NYDPS) released its proposed plan to do just that. The “50 by 30” Clean Energy Standard Read More...
Bill Gates: World will deliver 'clean energy breakthrough' within 15 years
Tech billionaire predicts innovation will deliver the clean energy the world desperately needs, but only if young people, businesses, and governments step up to the plate Bill Gates has predicted researchers will "discover a clean energy breakthrough that will save our planet and power our world" Read More...