Policy Making
Strong public policy leads to more cohesive, resilient, and sustainable societies. In this section, find out about the latest legislations from around the world aimed at making our world a better place.
Paris curbed cars—and cleared the air: what 20 years of bold green policy achieved
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Paris spent the last two decades reimagining its urban landscape, and the results are not just visible, but breathable. The French capital has replaced car-centric streets with bike lanes and pedestrian zones, added green spaces, and eliminated more than Read More...
New York City begins enforcing mandatory composting to cut waste and emissions
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM New York City officially launched enforcement of its mandatory composting program, making compost separation a requirement for all residents as of April. The city’s goal: reduce landfill waste and curb greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organic matter Read More...
Alabama takes step toward better maternal health with new Medicaid access bill
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a unanimous vote on April 8, Alabama lawmakers passed legislation that could significantly improve maternal health outcomes in the state by giving pregnant women faster access to Medicaid coverage. The bill, known as the "presumptive eligibility" Read More...
Colombia sets precedent to protect uncontacted Indigenous communities and biodiversity
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a landmark decision, Colombia created its first officially recognized territory dedicated to safeguarding Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation. Spanning over one million hectares between the Caquetá and Putumayo Rivers in the southern Read More...
Finland races ahead in clean energy: coal phase-out arrives four years early
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a remarkable step toward a fossil-free future, Finland effectively phased out coal as a source of electricity generation—four years ahead of its 2029 target. The closure of the Salmisaari coal plant in Helsinki on April 1 marks the latest and most Read More...
Paris votes to pedestrianize 500 more streets in push for greener city
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a resounding show of support for a greener, more walkable city, Parisians voted to pedestrianize an additional 500 streets across the capital. The March 23 referendum marks another milestone in Paris’s broader campaign to curb car use and improve urban Read More...
UK targets 10 percent pesticide reduction by 2030 to protect pollinators
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a long-awaited move, the UK government has unveiled its first official pesticide reduction target, pledging to cut pesticide use on arable farms by 10 percent by 2030. The plan, aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, marks a significant shift in Read More...
New ‘no-fishing zones' offer hope for endangered African penguins
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM After years of debate between conservationists and the fishing industry, South Africa has taken a major step toward protecting the critically endangered African penguin. A new agreement will restrict sardine and anchovy fishing around six major breeding Read More...
Mexico City keeps bullfighting… but without the blood
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Mexico City took a significant step toward curbing bullfighting cruelty, voting to replace traditional bullfights with a new, bloodless version of the controversial spectacle. While animal rights activists welcomed the decision, they acknowledge that the Read More...
French lawmakers end a discriminatory voting rule
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A long-standing parliamentary tradition in France has come to an end—one that, until now, silently excluded lawmakers with disabilities. Last Wednesday, the French National Assembly voted unanimously to eliminate "sitting and standing" balloting, a voting Read More...