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Colorado drafts bill to save its bees
Did you know that bees and other insects like them pollinate nearly three-quarters of the plants that produce 90 percent of the world’s food? Bees are a small insect that play a big role in their environments. They work to improve plant life, biodiversity, and even our own food supply. A Read More...
This is the UN plan to tackle plastic pollution
The Optimist Daily very much likes writing about plastic cleanup in the oceans. So, we were ecstatic when we learned about the beginnings of a treaty on par with the Paris Climate Accords to clean up plastics. The Paris Climate Accords made history as an international effort of 192 countries to Read More...
The EU and the world stand with Ukraine
While Russian troops continue to push into Ukraine, more and more people all over the world and across Europe are banding together to show support and solidarity against this violent assault. Though these are scary and uncertain times, it is encouraging to see how humanity can find common ground to Read More...
Boosting prices to raise wages? This brand’s customers approve
The way that the pandemic has forced us to reevaluate our lives and the systems that govern them cannot be overstated. One of the many concerns that bubbled up to the surface was the plight of the worker. Unfair wages, overloaded schedules, lack of childcare, mounting anxiety and stress, and Read More...
Squid-inspired device warns you when you've had too much sun
Spring is just around the corner—but before we get too excited to throw on our swimsuits and sunbathe in the park, it’s important to remember that we have to be careful when it comes to sun exposure. Even though those lovely warm rays may feel great against bare shoulders, it’s been well Read More...
Scientists develop e-nose that can detect Parkinson's disease
In recent years, smell detection of diseases has attracted growing attention in the field of medical research: from dogs (and even bees) trained to sniff out Covid-19 to human “super sniffers” able to detect neurodegenerative diseases in other people. Now, a group of scientists has developed an Read More...
This Kenyan community regrew its forest
At The Optimist Daily, we love stories fighting deforestation or spurring reforestation. Forests are our friends. They host myriad wildlife, foster ecological diversity, consume carbon dioxide, and breathe out oxygen. They also do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to reducing floods. In Read More...
Your vacation photos can help scientists track endangered species
In an increasingly digital world, photos may be worth much more than just a thousand words. Sharing snapshots of our food, loved ones, and vacations on social media is a common way to connect—but it can also be a useful way to help scientists track threatened and endangered species. Through an Read More...
Congress approves $350 million for wildlife crossings
Funding was finally secured in January for the construction of a wildlife crossing over the 101-freeway in Southern California, which cuts through the Santa Monica Mountains and the habitats of many native animals. The Optimist Daily has been closely following stories of wildlife crossings like Read More...
History provides context: A modern timeline of Ukraine-Russia relations
Part of what happens when a dramatic event shocks the world is that the headline news cycle moves fast in one direction, and we can lose sight of the context within which these events are occurring. The answer to that cycle is to seek out historical context. An excellent overview of the key events Read More...