Paul Relis and His Time on The Environmental Frontier
Today we're welcoming guest Paul Relis to the show! Paul is a pioneer of environmental solutions after being called to action from the 1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill - a transformative event in US history that launched many environmental protection programs, and Paul's career. With his leadership in Read More...
Fantastical Flying Ships and a Beautiful Eco-School Project
Today's innovative design news: Arielle and Kristy dive into the design world with two inspiring stories. They begin by talking about hydrofoils and how they can be used to electrify ferries and ships, one of the only modes of transport that is yet to be successfully decarbonized. Then, they Read More...
NASA Investigates UFOs and Understanding Extraterrestrial Life through Kombucha
Today's out-of-this-world news: Arielle and Kristy journey into space with today's solutions. First, Arielle talks about NASA's newly assembled team committed to investigating UFOs. Then, Kristy discusses how kombucha, the talented tea, is helping us better understand extraterrestrial life. Listen Read More...
Early Whale Watching and How Animal Research Advances Women's Health
Today's wildly positive news: Summers highlights how Australian whale watchers are being treated to an earlier-than-usual whale watching season thanks to successful conservation! Then, Kristy talks about a new study that details how animal adaptations could inform better women’s health. Listen to Read More...
Smart Pillows and Uber's Aid in Ukraine
Today's optimistic news: A new smart pillow can track the sleep of a user and provide essential data, and Uber is aiding Ukrainians by parterning with the UN World Food Programme. That and more on The Optimist Daily today! Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Read More...
Insect Informants and How To Reduce the Environmental Cost of Meat
Today's solutions news: Italy's special police force, the Carabinieri, teams up with bees to fight climate change, and here are four policy changes we can make to reduce the environmental cost of the meat industry. If you'd like to nominate someone you know who's doing good in this world, send an Read More...
Electric Food Trucks and Scaling Up Solar Production
Today's good news: Summers talks about how students at the University of Illinois, Chicago have built a fully functional solar charging station for an on-campus food truck and other EVs. Then, Kristy discusses how the Biden administration is trying to drastically scale up solar production. If you'd Read More...
Composting in California and The Attentional Failure during Driving Questionnaire (AFDQ)
Today's good news: California levels up its composting game by making composting a statewide practice. Plus, North Carolina State University has developed an Attentional Failure during Driving Questionnaire (AFDQ) to help determine which drivers are most at risk of having an accident. If you'd Read More...
Mental Health Benefits of Youth Team Sports and the VEST Hackathon
Today's good news: Summers and Kristy start the week by talking about how new research from the University of California, Fullerton reveals a correlation between youth who participate in team sports and better mental health. Then, they discuss the VEST hackathon is helping make the professional Read More...
Firefighting Goats and World's Largest Plant
Today's positive news: Firefighting goats are helping prevent wildfires in California's Ojai Valley (shout out to Emissary Warren Petersen for submitting this story for our Optimist Change-Makers nominations!)! Plus, the world's largest plant (think 20,000 football fields big) has just been Read More...