Planet & Nature 14 stories
How environmental DNA turned river water into a global wildlife census
There’s something almost absurd about how we’ve always measured wildlife. Two trained ecologists visit the same river, spend days cataloguing what they can see, and come back with completely different species lists. Neit…
The bill that brings green hydrogen into California’s clean energy grid
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM California just closed a gap that’s been undermining its clean energy numbers for years. Governor Newsom signed SB 1350 into law, qualifying green hydrogen electricity as a renewable…
A Streetside Painting Salvaged for its Frame Returned After Honest Man Realized its Enormous Value
A man from Murcia in Spain couldn’t believe his luck when a gallery told him the painting he found propped up against a wall in Sevilla was an original by 19th century Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla. Yet as soon as he s…
NHS to reward people who walk 30 minutes a day, Europe’s air quality improves, OnlyFans’ climate campaign
In today's edition: a scheme supported by NHS England lets walkers trade a brief stroll for discounts and other incentives, major pollutant levels drop across Europe, and content creators on subscription platform OnlyFan…
California canal solar project reduces evaporation and generates power
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Shade from solar panels installed above two California irrigation canals reduced water evaporation by up to 70 percent and cut aquatic weed and algae growth by up to 85 percent over a…
The Spark: Would You Drive Six Hours to Save a Hummingbird?
Welcome back to The Spark, our monthly celebration of how people just like you are creating positive change, one meaningful step at a time. The Spark is generously supported by Laura Rice. Sign up to Reasons to be Cheerf…
Can provocative climate messaging on OnlyFans cut through social media’s noise?
A climate narrator is using OnlyFans to reach new audiences in unlikely places. It turns out, people listen The post Can provocative climate messaging on OnlyFans cut through social media’s noise? appeared first on Posit…
England and Wales decriminalise rough sleeping, US murders hit record low, wildlife crossings lower crashes by 90%
In today's edition: The Vagrancy Act 1824 has been repealed in England and Wales making rough sleeping no longer a crime, the US murder rate approaches its lowest level since records began, and Arizona's wildlife crossin…
Why Ukraine is rewilding in the heat of war
The environment usually takes a backseat in times of conflict. But in Ukraine a rewilding project is sowing seeds for a greener future The post Why Ukraine is rewilding in the heat of war appeared first on Positive News…
The Coffee Academy Serving Up Career Paths
“I’ve been told a lot that this is the best coffee on this street,” says Sana Pishgoo, owner of Shiraz Patisserie in north London. “I’ve also been told I have the best Iranian cakes in London.” A skilled pastry chef and…
French Polynesia protects 30% of its waters, HPV jab sees “near zero risk” of cervical cancer, drug diversion schemes
In today's edition: the government of French Polynesia announces an expansion of its ocean protections, young women now have "close to zero" risk of death from cervical cancer thanks to HPV vaccination, and drug diversio…
Colombia passes first bill in Latin America to end FGM, China’s EV boom sees fewer deaths, London’s Tree Ring
In today's edition: Colombia takes a large step towards banning the practice of female genital mutilation, China's adoption of low-emission vehicles results in a big drop in premature deaths linked to pollution, and plan…
First binding employment standards for gig workers, Ethiopia goes electric, Uganda’s Youth Desks
In today's edition: the UN's International Labour Organization has agreed to adopt the first-ever binding employment standards for gig workers, Ethiopia sees a sharp rise in the number of electric vehicles on its streets…
Solar overtakes coal in US, record number of dams dismantled in Europe, free education for every child in Zambia
In this edition of Squirrel News, solar-powered electricity overtakes coal in the US for the first time; European dam removal hits a record high, enabling rivers to reconnect over thousands of miles; and universal free e…