Retired Gen. Mark Milley is afraid of retribution. The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a four-star Army general made no bones about his feelings about former President Donald Trump in the lead-up to the presidential election. And he was equally clear about his own fears. In...

Americans will only achieve healthy public discourse when we agree on basic principles and start telling the truth. As it stands, however, too many elected officials engage in hypocrisy by disguising their political interests as high principles. For instance, in a clip posted Tuesday to the social media platform X,...

Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean you're wrong. And for any supporters of President-elect Donald Trump who feel that they've been unfairly targeted by the government, but were summarily dismissed by the angry left as conspiracy theorists -- turns out you were right. One of the more foul and...

Legendary Christian writer C.S. Lewis gave us an analogy to help explain otherwise inexplicable moments such as this. Tolerance, Lewis once wrote, "parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment." In a clip posted to the social media platform X on Tuesday, Israeli journalist and White House correspondent Neria Kraus asked President...

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering lawyer Alina Habba to be the White House press secretary. Habba often spoke to the media while she was on the legal team representing Trump in his New York defamation and fraud civil lawsuits over the past two years. Her style with reporters was...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On November 5, Washington voters made an important decision for the future of climate action by deciding to uphold the state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), one of the nation’s most ambitious climate laws. This vote marked a huge loss for Republican efforts to dismantle the act, which Governor Jay Inslee signed into law in 2021. With 61.7 percent voting against the repeal, Washingtonians demonstrated their support for a state-led approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing climate resilience. The Climate Commitment Act established a cap-and-invest program to control carbon emissions from corporations while also providing a revenue stream for environmental conservation. In this system, corporations must acquire emission permits in a controlled auction, establishing a financial and legal incentive to lessen their environmental effect. The program’s early success has attracted attention, both for its financial successes and for its potential as a model for other states to follow. How the Washington cap-and-invest program works Washington’s cap-and-invest scheme uses a sealed-bid auction in which firms bid for carbon permits. Each allowance grants authority to emit one metric ton of greenhouse gas. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, corporations can bid on a block of allowances at their requested price. Bids are ranked from highest to lowest, and once all allowances have been given, the price of the lowest winning bid is paid by all successful bidders. Businesses that don’t win the auction must buy allowances from others, resulting in a competitive market for emissions permits. Over time, the quantity of available allowances will decrease, lowering emissions in line with Washington’s climate goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050. The state has set lofty goals to reduce emissions by 45 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, 70 percent by 2040, and 95 percent by 2050. Financial success and environmental investments Since the program’s inception, the Climate Commitment Act has raised significant cash for Washington’s environmental aims. In 2023, the initiative raised $1.82 billion for climate resilience and environmental restoration. The first auction in 2024 raised an additional $136 million, with further auctions planned. This support is critical for continuing programs aimed at adapting to climate change, conserving biodiversity, and protecting populations vulnerable to its effects. However, not everyone considers the CCA a success. Supporters of the repeal said that the law imposed a “hidden gas tax” and raised energy prices without providing significant environmental advantages. According to data from The Associated Press, the average price of gasoline in Washington reached $5.54 per gallon in February 2023, prompting claims that the law was financially oppressive. Voters reject repeal, support climate funding Critics of the repeal pointed out that eliminating the CCA would not necessarily cut gas prices and would instead eliminate a major source of money for climate adaptation. Despite the unsuccessful repeal, the program remains intact, supporting initiatives that improve environmental protection and build Washington’s climate resilience. Washington’s commitment to climate action now sits alongside similar initiatives in California and Quebec, both of which created connected cap-and-investment programs in 2014. The three nations are now discussing future coordination to achieve their common climate goals. Future of climate action in Washington Washington’s vote comes at a critical time for climate action in the United States. Following Donald Trump’s recent election to a second term as President, many analysts anticipate minimal federal support for climate policy. According to Alice Hill, a senior scholar at the Council on Foreign Relations, “Trump’s victory presents a real obstacle in the global fight against climate change.” She noted that under Trump’s leadership, the federal government is likely to curtail measures to reduce emissions while increasing fossil fuel production. Despite this national outlook, Hill expressed optimism in state-led efforts like Washington’s, stating, “The power of state-level action should not be undermined, with significant progress made at sub-national level in some states. Local political and regulatory intervention will be critical in the fight for a healthier planet — with or without support from the Trump administration.” Washington’s commitment to its climate program serves as a reminder that states can take the lead in lowering emissions and creating a sustainable future even in the absence of federal action. As the Climate Commitment Act continues to succeed on both environmental and financial fronts, Washington’s example may inspire other states to pursue similar programs, strengthening US climate action from the ground up.The post Washington voters uphold groundbreaking climate law, a victory for climate action first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the records of Indian folklore, there is a timeless story about six blind men discovering an elephant for the first time. As each man touches a different part of the elephant – its trunk, tusk, or tail — they generate vastly different conceptions of the creature. “It’s like a snake,” one exclaims, while another believes it’s like a tree trunk. This parable shows our tendency to see reality through narrow perspectives. As psychologist Tenelle Porter affirms, “When we’re more engaged and listening to the other side, the disagreements tend to be more constructive.” The power of intellectual humility: expert perspectives Intellectual humility goes beyond conventional modesty; it represents a deep openness to new ideas and a willingness to learn from others. Tenelle Porter, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Rowan University, extols its merits, pointing out that intellectually humble people are not only better learners but also excellent at civil discourse. In an era marked by information overload and ideological polarization, maintaining intellectual humility is critical for generating true knowledge and personal development. According to Laszlo Bock, Google’s former VP of Hiring, intellectual humility is a desirable trait in candidates. “Without intellectual humility, you are unable to learn,” he emphasizes. Embracing growth mindsets as a path to lifelong learning Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck’s concept of a development mindset is critical for developing intellectual humility. According to Porter, “This kind of belief can be very threatening because it risks branding people as, sort of, losers in the intellectual lottery.” In contrast, adopting a growth mindset opens up a world of possibilities, allowing people to thrive and adapt to adversity. Wisdom in humility: the intersection of learning and virtue Psychologists Ethan Kross and Igor Grossmann administered a study in 2012 that discovered a link between intellectual humility and wisdom. Kross and Grossmann emphasize the necessity of understanding one’s own knowledge limitations and cultivating a prosocial mindset. Intellectual humility, they argue, enhances social well-being and community concord. Navigating bias and prejudice: overcoming cognitive blind spots Our cognitive biases frequently distort our perspective of reality, causing us to overestimate our objectivity. According to Porter, recognizing this prejudice blind spot is critical for developing intellectual humility. By honestly accepting our prejudices, we open ourselves to other views and enrich our understanding of the world. Bridging divides: practicing intellectual humility in everyday life In an era of polarization, intellectual humility provides a road to productive discourse and collaboration. Individuals can bridge party divides and promote greater understanding by actively listening to other points of view. Porter sees intellectual humility as a motivator for positive interactions and effective problem-solving. Developing empathy: from emotional to intellectual connections Empathy promotes emotional resonance, whereas intellectual humility improves our connection with others. Writer Lisa Miller’s investigation of empathy in “Guns and Empathy” emphasizes the value of intellectual connection in transcending ideological divides. By practicing intellectual humility, we foster true understanding and mutual respect in our interactions.The post What is intellectual humility? How intellectual humility unlocks learning and understanding first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Remember, it’s not about keeping score, but about strengthening your relationship.

Addiction doesn’t have to be the defining voice in your life. Dare to believe this truth: God promises to work through the prayers of the faithful. God promises to be endlessly forgiving and eternally patient. God promises to heal.