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Life on a Sustainable Planet

Smithsonian Voices

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Science on Wheels: The Little Bus That Could

Thanks to funding from the Adrienne Arsht Community-Based Resilience Solutions Initiative, the Q?Bus mobile classroom is back – and with a bigger impact than ever before.

Olivia Milloway | December 11, 2024

Starting a Summer of Sustainability

Enjoy five summery stories of conservation and sustainability successes from across the Smithsonian.

Sarah Grace Wheedleton | June 30, 2023

Even tiny organisms can have a large effect.

Meet Some Small Creatures That Have Big Impacts on Our Ecosystems

Protecting the little guys can lead to huge benefits for our planet.

Sarah Grace Wheedleton | May 31, 2023

How to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

The greenest day of the year is almost here, but our planet could still use some help long after the sun sets on Earth Day

Sarah Grace Wheedleton | April 17, 2023
A pair of silhouetted people stargaze

Stars, Seas and Other Scientific Successes

We recap five of our favorite optimistic stories from March, featuring everything from a historic agreement to protect our oceans to a small island working together to save confused puffins

Sarah Grace Wheedleton | March 31, 2023
A view of an island with a wave revealing a coral reef underwater. Photo courtesy of Ishan on Unsplash.

Science from Sea to Sky

February was full of stories exploring Smithsonian research from the deepest to highest points on our planet.

Sarah Grace Wheedleton | February 28, 2023
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Bunnies, Bears and Other Stories to Beat the January Blues

Five recent scientific success stories to cheer you up on a dreary day ⛅️

Sarah Grace Wheedleton | January 27, 2023
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Five Things That Made Us Optimistic in 2022

Before welcoming 2023, we're looking back at just a few #EarthOptimism highlights from 2022!

Sarah Grace Wheedleton | December 28, 2022
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Regenesis: Feeding the World Without Devouring the Planet | Earth Optimism Book of the Month

November's book of the month will help us explore how our food and environment are intertwined.

Cat Kutz | November 1, 2022

Five Spooky Species That Science Brought Back From the Brink

Need some last-minute Halloween costume inspo? These five species narrowly escaped the greatest horror story of our time: extinction.

Sarah Grace Wheedleton | October 31, 2022
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Wild Souls: Earth Optimism Book of the Month

October's book of the month is chosen by Taylor Parker, co-host of the Possibilists podcast created in partnership with Earth Optimism.

Taylor Parker | October 1, 2022
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Return of the Sea Otter: Earth Optimism Book of the Month

September's book of the month shares the story of an adorable species returning from the brink of extinction.

Cat Kutz | September 1, 2022
Illustrator Max Jake Palomino imagines a

Exploring the Social Side of Conservation

A case study demonstrates how incorporating social science into conservation actions can produce more effective, equitable, and lasting change.

Sarah Grace Wheedleton | August 30, 2022
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Earth in Human Hands: Earth Optimism Book of the Month

August's book pick is out of the world while taking a look at how humans are treating this one.

Cat Kutz | August 1, 2022
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How Conservation Promotes the Synergies of Sustainability

Smithsonian Working Land and Seascapes’ new study unveils conservation’s ability to advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals

Caitlyn Dittmeier | July 21, 2022
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The Rise of the American Conservation Movement: Power, Privilege, and Environmental Protection | Earth Optimism Book of the Month

What lessons can we learn from the history of conservation in the United States?

Cat Kutz | July 1, 2022
Pollard swimming near the Placencia Producers Cooperative farm where she sources her seaweed. Photo by Nick Perry, Coastline Studios

Sustaining a Green Business

Belizean eco-entrepreneur Jolie Pollard shares insights into breaking into the green beauty business in this second story of a two-part series.

Jolie Pollard & Sarah Grace Wheedleton | June 29, 2022
Belize seaweed farming pioneer Lowell

Seaweed Offers Solutions for Humans, Habitats, and Hair in Belize

In this first part of a two-part series, discover how seaweed is bringing a Belizean community together to explore its potential, from sustaining their local environment and economy to helping them take care of their hair!

Sarah Grace Wheedleton | June 28, 2022
People wander a livestock market near the Masai Mara, chatting and examining the sheep and goats. Photo courtesy of Cindy Obath

Bringing the Masai Mara to the National Mall

Kenya's Masai Mara ecosystem is an ancient landscape grappling with very modern challenges. Conservationist Cindy Obath discusses plans to better represent the daily reality of local communities during the Earth Optimism × Folklife Festival.

Cindy Obath & Sarah Grace Wheedleton | June 2, 2022
Categories
  • Animals (15)
  • Birds (6)
  • Bison (2)
  • Conservation Commons (35)
  • Earth Optimism (84)
  • Ecosystem Services (10)
  • Landscapes (8)
  • Mammals (4)
  • Migration (3)
  • News Roundup (22)
  • Sustainable Foods (5)
Archive
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  • 2019 (1)
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  • 2021 (29)
  • 2022 (28)
  • 2023 (7)
  • 2024 (3)

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