Sustainable Urban Development
With cities expected to host about 70 percent of the world's population, sustainable urban development is key to making communities worldwide more resilient against the growing threat of climate change. Find out about the latest urban practices from across the world aiming to make our cities more sustainable and inclusive in these good-news stories from The Optimist Daily.
How vertical farming transforms urban spaces and breathes new life into empty offices
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In cities across the globe, office vacancies are at an all-time high. In the United States alone, more than 20 percent of office spaces sit empty, a consequence of the shift to remote and hybrid work. While real estate developers scramble to repurpose these Read More...
Solar shines brighter than coal in the EU
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time in history, solar power has overtaken coal in the European Union’s electricity mix. In 2024, solar energy generated 11 percent of the EU’s electricity, while coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, fell below 10 percent. This milestone, Read More...
Michael Bloomberg steps up to fund UN climate body after U.S. withdrawal
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When the United States announced last week the plans to withdraw the country from the Paris Agreement and cut international climate funding the ripple effects were felt across the globe. One of the biggest casualties was the United Nations Framework Read More...
Architects embrace trees to bring nature in and redefine home design
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Biophilic design—the practice of integrating nature into architecture—is no longer confined to houseplants and scenic views. Architects and designers worldwide are turning to trees as a central element of their projects, blending sustainability with Read More...
Oslo’s quiet revolution: how electric construction sites are changing the game
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine walking past a bustling construction site and hearing… almost nothing. In Oslo, that’s becoming the new normal. The city’s ambitious mandate to eliminate fossil fuels from municipal building projects has ushered in a quieter, cleaner era for Read More...
New York’s climate superfund act: making polluters pay for a warming world
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a move to address the escalating costs of climate change, New York passed the Climate Change Superfund Act, becoming the second state in the nation to hold major fossil fuel companies financially accountable for their contribution to the climate crisis. Read More...
Belfast venues unite to eliminate single-use plastic cups
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Belfast is making history as the first city in Ireland and the UK to commit to eliminating single-use plastic cups in entertainment venues. This city-wide initiative, led by the Venue Sustainability Forum and supported by Visit Belfast, will see major and Read More...
Thailand bans plastic waste imports to combat toxic pollution
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Thailand officially banned the import of plastic waste, a move hailed as a victory by environmental campaigners. The ban, which came into effect this month, aims to curb toxic pollution and protect human and environmental health in a country that has long Read More...
All city buildings in Chicago are now powered by renewable energy
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Chicago entered 2024 with a landmark achievement: every one of its 411 municipal buildings, from City Hall to local libraries, now runs entirely on renewable energy. This monumental shift comes as part of the city’s broader climate strategy and has been Read More...
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...