The Optimist Daily

Fur coats

Norway permanently closes all fur farms

/

Once home to nearly 300 fur farms, the Scandinavian country has now phased out the industry entirely, with the last farmers shutting down operations ahead of a February 2025 deadline. The final decision to ban fur farming was made in 2018, with a phase-out period designed to help farmers transition to other livelihoods. Now, the country has officially made good on its promise, joining a growing list of nations that have decided fur farming belongs in the past.

Aerial view of river

250 miles of New Mexico’s rivers get toughest safeguards against pollution

/

In a unanimous decision, New Mexico’s Water Quality Control Commission has voted to protect 250 miles of stream and river segments with the state’s highest water quality safeguards. This historic decision recognizes stretches of the Rio Grande, Rio Chama, Cimarron, Pecos, and Jemez rivers as Outstanding National Resource Waters, ensuring that these lifelines remain uncontaminated by pollution. The 10-0 vote shields these critical ecosystems from degradation caused by pollutants, heavy metals, temperature changes, and other environmental threats.

Black woman smiling

Puerto Rico bans hair discrimination

/

Puerto Rico recently approved legislation forbidding discrimination against natural hair and protective hairstyles in both public and private organizations, marking a significant step forward in the fight against racial discrimination. The new rule reflects years of grassroots activism and the personal experiences of those who have encountered prejudice because of their natural hair, particularly in Afro-descendant groups.

Danish flag

Denmark to pioneer CO2 tax on farms in a global first

/

The CO2 tax proposal, first proposed by government-commissioned scientists in February, is part of Denmark’s ambitious ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent from 1990 levels by 2030. The agriculture sector, which is the country’s greatest producer of CO2 emissions, is the main focus of this project.

Dominican Republic forested landscape

The Dominican Republic reforests a fifth of the country in 10 years

/

Plan Yaque, founded in 2009, brings together 30 organizations to conserve the Yaque River basin, the Dominican Republic’s lifeline. The plan’s simplicity rests in convincing landowners that reforestation is not only an ecological need but also beneficial to their well-being. By 2019, Plan Yaque and other environmental efforts have restored 18 percent of damaged land, ranking as Latin America’s second-largest land recovery.

Break Free From Fossil Fuels flyer

Australia and Norway to stop overseas fossil fuel financing

/

Australia and Norway have formally joined the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP), a historic alliance aiming at ending international public subsidies for fossil fuels. The CETP was launched during COP26 in Glasgow and has grown to include 41 countries and organizations, signaling a significant step forward in combating the climate catastrophe.

Hand holding smart phone

Canada launches new 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline

/

This three-digit hotline, similar to 911 for emergencies, connects individuals to critical suicide prevention services, giving instant assistance 24/7, free of charge. According to Statistics Canada, 4,500 individuals across the nation die by suicide every year.

Scroll to Top