BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time in over five decades, coal-fired electricity generation has dropped in both China and India, the world’s two largest consumers of coal. This historic shift, outlined in new research from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and published by Carbon Brief, may signal the beginning of a long-anticipated global turning point in carbon emissions. The simultaneous dip in coal use by these energy giants hasn’t occurred since 1973. And according to analysts, this milestone is less about a dip in demand and more about a powerful surge in clean energy development that is reshaping the global energy landscape. A historic clean energy boom drives the shift The analysis revealed that coal-generated electricity fell by 1.6 percent in China and 3 percent in India in 2025. These declines are especially significant because both countries have seen energy demand steadily rise. So, what changed? A record-breaking rollout of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, was not only enough to meet that demand but also to begin replacing fossil fuels. In China, the scale of clean energy development was nothing short of extraordinary. The country added more than 300 gigawatts of solar and 100 gigawatts of wind in a single year. To put that in perspective, this is over five times the total energy capacity of the United Kingdom. India also made impressive strides. It installed 35 gigawatts of solar, 6 gigawatts of wind, and 3.5 gigawatts of hydropower. For the first time, the country’s clean energy growth significantly contributed to a decline in coal-fired electricity, an undeniably crucial moment in India’s energy transition. In fact, renewables accounted for 44 percent of the drop in India’s fossil fuel use over the past year. Clean energy meets rising energy demand While about 36 percent of India’s coal reduction was influenced by milder weather patterns, and 20 percent came from slower economic growth, analysts say the uptick in clean energy is the real headline. With renewable power now beginning to edge out coal, the countries that once drove over 90 percent of the world’s emissions increase between 2015 and 2024 are showing that a cleaner path forward is possible. “The drop in coal power and record increase in clean energy in China and India marks a historic moment,” the report said, adding that this could be “a sign of things to come.” Still, some challenges remain. As extreme weather events become more frequent, including hotter summers that spike demand for air conditioning, there’s potential for energy use to rebound, particularly in countries like India. Additionally, the global coal comeback seen in 2022, driven by gas price hikes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, underscored how external events can disrupt even the best-laid climate plans. What this means for global emissions The International Energy Agency previously warned that coal emissions could hover near record highs until at least 2027. But this new data suggests the tide may finally be turning. If these downward trends in coal use prove durable and if renewables continue to scale up at this pace, then 2025 may go down as the year when the world’s reliance on coal truly began to wane. For climate advocates, this progress is not just symbolic. It’s foundational. China and India have long been seen as the critical players in any global effort to slow climate change. Their transition to cleaner energy sources is no longer theoretical. It’s happening, and the numbers are beginning to reflect that shift.   This solution is highlighted by The World Business Academy, the umbrella organization housing The Optimist Daily. To learn more, please visit our website. The post Clean energy surge leads to historic coal decline in China and India first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM That mid-afternoon latte might feel like the boost you need to power through your to-do list, especially when the days are short and the weather begs for something warm. But before you cozy up with a seasonal peppermint mocha at 4:00 p.m., it’s worth asking: will this cup of comfort sabotage your sleep tonight? The answer is not one-size-fits-all, but experts agree on one thing: timing matters. The effects of caffeine last longer than many people realize, and depending on your body, that pick-me-up could be pushing your bedtime back more than you think. If you want to enjoy your coffee and get better sleep, here’s what to know about how caffeine works, how long it lingers, and when it’s best to call it a day. How much caffeine are you really drinking? First things first: not all caffeinated drinks are created equal. An eight-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains about 95 milligrams of caffeine, while the same amount of black tea has closer to 47 milligrams. If you’re sipping espresso, you’re getting about 62.8 milligrams per ounce, which adds up quickly in double or triple shots. Even the way your coffee is brewed can affect caffeine levels. Factors like brew time, grind size, water temperature, and serving size all play a role. In other words, that cozy latte may have more buzz than you bargained for. Why caffeine timing affects your sleep Caffeine works by blocking adenosine, a chemical that builds up in your brain throughout the day and makes you feel sleepy. This blockage increases alertness but at a cost. “Caffeine has a long half-life in most adults, which means it stays active in the body for five to seven hours,” explains Dr. Lynette Gogol, a board-certified neurologist and lifestyle medicine physician. “That 3:00 p.m. coffee might still be circulating at bedtime, interfering with your brain’s natural ability to wind down.” You may think you’re in the clear once the jitters wear off, but that’s not always the case. Jane Leverich, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian, says caffeine can still silently disrupt sleep by delaying melatonin, interfering with your circadian rhythm, and lowering sleep quality. Even smaller amounts can make a difference. While under 100 milligrams of caffeine earlier in the day may not wreck your sleep, higher doses like the 300 to 600 milligrams found in several cups of coffee can reduce the deepest, most restorative stages of sleep, says Dr. Gogol. One study even showed that caffeine consumed six hours before bedtime could shorten sleep time by over an hour, even in people who felt like they slept fine. So, when should you stop drinking coffee? The magic cutoff time will vary depending on your body and your bedtime, but experts recommend a six to eight hour caffeine buffer before sleep. So, if you usually head to bed around 10:00 p.m., aim to finish your last cup by 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the latest. Some people may need even longer. According to Dr. Gogol, caffeine clearance slows with age, during pregnancy, with liver conditions, or with certain medications like oral contraceptives or H2 blockers. Your genes can also affect your sensitivity. Some people have CYP1A2 gene variants that break down caffeine faster, while others have ADORA2A variants that make their brains more sensitive to caffeine’s effects. “These differences explain why one person can sleep soundly after a 5:00 p.m. espresso, and another lies awake from a noon cappuccino,” Dr. Gogol explains. Can some people handle coffee later in the day? Yes, but it depends on your unique biology. “Some people metabolize caffeine quickly, so it clears their system faster,” says Dr. Gogol. Others may be more sensitive due to genetics, health conditions, or medications, and that means even a small cup can throw off their sleep. That said, even fast metabolizers aren’t off the hook with high daily intake. Consuming more than 300 milligrams per day can still reduce sleep quality over time, regardless of your genes. The final verdict If you love coffee but also value sleep, paying attention to when you drink it can make a big difference. A good general rule is to avoid caffeine within six to eight hours of bedtime. And if you deal with insomnia, anxiety, or find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, an eight to ten hour buffer may be even better. Caffeine is not the enemy, but a bit of strategy goes a long way. By knowing your limits and staying on top of your timing, you can enjoy your daily cup without sacrificing your nightly rest.     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post When to stop drinking coffee if you want better sleep, according to experts first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Walt Disney does magic better than anyone in the business. To keep millions of people returning to Disney Parks year after year, they constantly reinvent themselves. With new attractions, shows, rides, and food, Disney devotees love to spend their hard-earned money on lavish Walt Disney Resort vacations. It’s been six years since the Garden View Lounge closed for refurbishment. The iconic tearoom inside the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa shut down in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and will soon reopen as a brand-new experience for tea party lovers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Disney Food Blog (@disneyfoodblog) The Garden View Lounge is Unlike Any Other Disney Restaurant Experience According to the Disney Tourist Blog, the new Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience will open on March 19, 20206, and reservations will open a month earlier on February 19. This new teatime experience will incorporate touches from Alice in Wonderland, making it truly whimsical. Walt Disney World shared the new restaurant’s menu and pricing. Service starts at $49 for guests 3 to 9 and $79 for guests 10 and older. Guests have their choice of eight Twinnings tea selections, and the tea towner includes a variety of Alice in Wonderland themed bites that include the following” Orange-Cranberry Scone Curried Chicken Salad Playing Card Tart Footman’s Feast: Wonderland Salmon Crisp Tweedledee Egg Salad Sandwich Caterpillar Cucumber Roll Matcha Mad Hatter Tea Party Tart Flamingo Croquet Choux Painting the Rose The Disney Food Blog shared images from the new restaurant, and it truly looks amazing. “IT’S HAPPENING!!! Afternoon tea is SO BACK at Disney World! Disney just announced the opening date AND full menu reveal for the Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and tea lovers… this one is extra whimsical,” an Instagram post reads. Fans cannot wait. “Been taking my daughter every year since she was 6, missed it since it’s been closed. So happy it’s returning to continue our tradition!!” An excited Disney fan shared. This story’s featured image is by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images.

In 1986 Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels and his production company released a mockumentary, but it wasn't just any spoof. Set to look like it was honoring the 50th anniversary of the Looney Tunes cartoon universe, the mockumentary showcased the characters as if they were very much real Hollywood stars. The idea was to have famous people discussing the beloved animated characters as if they were colleagues. The cast was incredibly star-studded. A barrel-full of impressive celebrities, such as George Burns, Kirk Douglas, Candace Bergen, Jeff Goldblum, Jeremy Irons, Molly Ringwald, and Billy Dee Williams showed up to do their part. In an Instagram Reel from the account Toons, Tunes, and Trash (@toonstunesandtrash), they add, "From the music world, you had Cher, Quincy Jones, and David freaking Bowie. From the Lorne-verse, you had Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Bill Murray. For a bit of realism, Mel Blanc, Friz Freleng, and Chuck Jones are also interviewed in non-bits."But it's Bill Murray who steals the show. While most of the others seem to be working off a script, Murray riffs for nearly two full minutes on infamous Looney Tunes characters as though he knew them in real life. And his observations are laugh-out-loud brilliant. See on Instagram In the clip, Murray is casually shooting pool while he pretends to answer interview questions. "Bugs never did anything for anybody that didn't serve Bugs Bunny," he quips. "That's why he's a star."He also suggests that Yosemite Sam was "afraid of the supernatural." He states, "Yosemite would come onto the set and start giving Friz a little trouble. And Friz would reach in for a little voodoo thing and just wave it in front of Sam." (Murray is referring to Friz Freleng, a Warner Bros. animator, director, and composer.)Now it's time for Porky. "Porky Pig could have any dame he wanted in Hollywood. You know, with a (snaps his fingers) phone call. He goes out with this girl and he's like, 'She's a pig. I don't want to date a pig.' You know, it's one of those things where you always want what... you know, sort of rejecting his past and wanting more."Back to the bunny. "But Bugs selling war bonds was a joke. Because Bugs was not interested in fighting, you know what I mean? He couldn't get arrested. After Knighty Knight Bugs', because all of a sudden Bugs was the superstar. He was the artist. And Pepe was just a little skunk."And speaking of that skunk, Murrary shares, "So Pepe left. He bailed out. He went over to Europe. He worked in France. He did art films over there. He was loved by a lot of people, and whenever we'd go over, everybody would look him up. But he never came back. He never visited." Murray then attempts a French accent. "It was always 'If you are here, please stop by.' And you'd go by and he was so gracious and so lovely and he would always say, 'Oh, how is Bugs?' And you knew it was breaking his heart." A compilation of classic Looney Tunes cartoons. www.youtube.com, Warner Bros. Classics Time for the duck. "Everyone knew it was Daffy's picture all the way. Daff was unique. He was a maverick. He was a rebel. And he's a lot more intelligent than people give him credit for. I mean, I have no respect, intellectually, for Fudd. It's not that I don't like Fudd, I just don't have any respect for him intellectually. And Daffy... I do have respect for."The Instagram handle also explains that the whole concept seemed to have little to do with any kind of actual anniversary. "It was tied into a Looney Tunes exhibit opening up at the MoMA entitled 'That’s Not All, Folks!: Warner Bros. Cartoons Golden Jubilee.' (The Cartoon Golden Jubilee was also a hugely successful video series of this stuff. This wabbit hole goes deep.)"In a 2012 Vulture article entitled, "Bill Murray, Steve Martin and the Bugs Bunny; The Looney Tunes 50th Anniversary Special," author Matthew Callan writes, "The fact that the 50th anniversary special was produced by Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video should give your first clue as to the tone. Near its close, legendary animator Chuck Jones confesses, 'Our pictures were never made for children. Our pictures were never made for adults. They were made for us.' The same could have been said of this special. It was clearly done primarily for the enjoyment of the people involved."If you watch it, it's clear the whole cast had a great time dishing on Hollywood scandals. Callan shares, "This 'gossip' was punctuated by a perfectly selected array of classic cartoons, edited together for maximum comic effect."In a 1986 "review" of the film, New York Times writer John O'Connor writes, "With tongues nailed firmly to cheek, in time-honored cartoon style, the guests very seriously reveal their innermost thoughts about these peculiarly American heroes." Mentioning Murray as "bitter," O'Connor goes on to say that some of the stars, like Cher, are "wistful." Bugs Bunny Looney Tunes 50th Anniversary film. www.youtube.com, Media Central UK O'Connor makes it clear that there are real insights into the people and messages behind the scenes at Warner Bros. "Some of the studio's top animators are on hand to offer insights into their creations. Chuck Jones sees Bugs Bunny as an aspiration, 'what you'd like to be like,' as opposed to Daffy Duck, 'what you are afraid you're really like.'"Highlights aside from Bill Murray, include Chevy Chase who, just before the opening credits, states, "Bugs just kind of plays himself. I've never really seen him stretch as an actor."David Bowie, always down for a good joke, changes his tune on Bugs. "Look," he says. "I don't know Bugs Bunny. Alright, I've met him. In fact, I know him pretty well, but I'd never work with him... except I might be doing an album with him."Jeff Goldblum hilariously defends Porky, saying, "Porky is not washed up, if that's what they've been saying. He's, as a matter of fact, for your information, the greatest and most versatile actor to ever work in the business."And Steve Martin goes the extra absurdist route, insisting that movie stars simply copy Bugs, such as the time Paul Newman was spotted eating carrots. - David Bowie has conflicted thoughts on Bugs Bunny in this mockumentary. www.youtube.com, Mr Screaming Upworthy had a chance to chat with the Toons, Tunes, and Trash Instagram handle creator Mike Hadge, who adds his point of view as to why the Bill Murray bit was so special. "Bill Murray’s wiring is just so perfectly installed to endlessly riff on Yosemite Sam’s presence on set and things like that. When people refer to 'yes and-ing' something in regards to improvisation, this is what they mean. It helps that Murray trained in comedy under Del Close, the godfather of the 'yes and...' philosophy of improv, at Second City. That said, this is just how Bill Murray lives and breathes. Lucky us!"Additionally, he tells us that having had Lorne Michaels at the helm of the whole thing totally tracks. "The odd approach taken in the special makes sense when you realize this whole thing was produced by Lorne Michaels, who, aside from SNL, produced another faux-documentary eight years earlier in The Rutles’ 'All You Need Is Cash,' an iconic Beatles riff that, by the way, ALSO featured some tasty Bill Murray riffing."Hadge also shares how his account came about. "As for Toons, Tunes, and Trash, the account started six months ago as support for my online shop, which specializes in affordable vintage animation and music collectibles. The account has become an overall celebration of old animation, music, comedy—basically stuff I love made by humans. In the process, I’ve learned just how much people enjoy revisiting—or being introduced to—classic animation and the like. It’s been nice to share stuff that amuses me and see who else it amuses. Community is key, people."

There are obvious things people from overseas expect to find when they come to America on vacation. They'll see big, yellow school buses. They'll go out to dinner, be blown away by the portion sizes, and get excited about taking leftovers home. Of course, they'll also enjoy most Americans' happy-go-lucky attitude.However, there are also things many people don't expect to find in America when they arrive. Some can be fun and exciting, others downright perplexing. Visitors might enjoy the pleasant surprise of seeing a garbage disposal in action, or feel overwhelmed by the countless massive billboards lining America's highways and byways.A Redditor asked non-Americans who have visited the United States to share some of the "weirdest" things they noticed that most Americans might not. The responses turned into a fun list of everyday experiences many Americans don't realize are uniquely tied to life in the States. Who knew that seeing squirrels everywhere is a particularly American experience, or that people in other countries don't have to deal with poison ivy on a regular basis? An alert squirrel. via Canva/PhotosHere are 15 of the strangest things that non-Americans didn't expect when visiting the U.S.1. The medical advertisements"How your medical ads show an old guy living life well because of X-drug. He has the best time, the wife is having the best time and it's all because of the drug making things better. The end of the ad is full of warnings about how this happy drug can potentially kill you and your family, nuke your dog and make cats impotent.""When you have ads for drugs and half of the ad is telling you how the drug will kill you while also showing puppies. It's weird."2. Military acknowledgements"I went to SeaWorld with my mum when I was in my mid-teens. Halfway through the show, the performer (Not the whale) asked everybody in the military to stand up, and the whole crowd gave them a round of applause. They sat back down and the show continued as if nothing had happened. Couldn't imagine anything similar happening back in Blighty.""I love that you specified it wasn't the whale asking questions."3. Poison ivy is real"That poison ivy not only exists, but it's so ubiquitous.""When I was a kid, I walked through the smoke of burning poison ivy. I was out of school for a week after that, I couldn't even get my eyes open." Poison ivy growing on a tree.via Canva/Photos4. Thanksgiving invites"The weirdest thing is that Americans will ask what you are doing for Thanksgiving. Are you going to your family, etc.? When you say no. They invite you to their home. (I was a student, my family was thousands of miles away, and I'm happy that the local Cracker Barrel is open and looking forward to a meal there. My Professor did that. Invited me to his home. I had a good time, but it was strange. I'm meeting his uncles and aunts. And one little girl threw a tantrum, I had to take her to calm her down, etc.... It was weird. But also wonderful. In my country, things like this would never happen. You don't bring a stranger to a family event.""You don't bring a stranger to a family event. You're only a stranger until you show up, then you're family."5. The bathrooms"On behalf of my wife, what's up with the gaps in the toilet stall doors and no bidet?'"Using a public restroom in the U.S. can be uncomfortable for visitors because of the large gaps beneath the stall doors. Strange as it may seem, those gaps are intentional. They exist for three main reasons: increased visibility makes it easier to spot emergencies, the extra space allows janitors to clean floors more efficiently, and smaller doors are cheaper to manufacture and install. @mattypstories And now you know!?#bathroom#facts#themoreyouknow 6. Wacky car dealership flags"Car dealerships have huge flags. I don't get why you'd have a flag the size of ten RVs.""Would you buy a truck from a guy whose American flag was smaller than a football field? If it's not at least one square mile in size, you're basically a communist, and we don't buy commie trucks.""That's an advertising thing. In the US, a lot of cities ban signs being above a certain size or quantity, but flags, particularly US flags, are often exempt."7. Prices on menus"Why you guys don't put the actual full prices on food menus?""You guys don't add the taxes in beforehand.""Maybe it's to discourage people from buying them with the slightly elevated price?"8. Ranch is very confusing"Ranch; it is somehow both delicious and revolting. And changes which with every mouthful.""Buttermilk, mayo, dill, parsley, garlic.""In the Netherlands, they don't really know what Ranch is... so we call it 'Cool American.'" Chicken wings and ranch dressing. via Canva/Photos9. Casinos in gas stations"I'm talking about slot/poker machines and sometimes a poker table or two in regular gas stations. Not just truck stops, not on native land. Find a street corner with some gas stations on it in Missoula and odds are at least one of them has a mini casino inside.""Illinois has slots EVERYWHERE now. Gas stations, hotels, regional airports. It's crazy."10. Free refills"Free refills. Went to a restaurant with my dad (both German) and all of a sudden the waiter took away my drink with another perfectly good sipp in it and I must have looked pretty shocked. It was only then when my dad explained to me that you guys have free refills.""The reason we have free refills is that drinks come in large containers of syrup that get mixed with the water and carbonation in a fountain on site. At fast food restaurants, it costs the restaurant more to provide you with a cup than the liquid that they order in bulk. This makes unlimited refills feasible, vs the individual glass bottles everyone in Europe is serving."11. Huge squirrel population"That there are a lot of squirrels.""Half Spanish, when my godmother visited America for the first time she spent an unreasonable amount of time filming squirrels."The U.S. has the largest squirrel population in the world, with an estimated 40 million squirrels across the country. What's funny is that this abundance is no accident. In the 1900s, urban parks were considered beneficial to people's health, so when many were built, cities intentionally introduced squirrels to create a more bucolic atmosphere. The result was an explosion in America's squirrel population.12. Grocery baggers"Clearly the fact that there are people to put your groceries in a bag for you, I've never been so stressed and uncomfortable that while I was watching this young girl taking care of my groceries.""Conversely, the first time I went to a European store I stood and watched the cashier not bag things." A woman checking out at the supermarket.via Canva/Photos13. Y'all is real"My cousins, who had lived in Kuwait and Australia for many years, came to visit my family back in Texas and laughed at how we said y'all.""Me, a Southerner at Coachella: I ain't heard that band before...Californians around me: ...did you just say 'ain't??'Me: y'all don't say ain't?? WAIT. Do y'all even say y'all??Californians: hella hella NorCal is hella better than SoCal hella no we don't say y'all."14. People are really social"Canadian here, I was blown away by how weirdly social people are with strangers. Like some random guy I've never seen before just starts telling me his life story on the street. He is super normal and doesn't seem crazy; he just wants to talk to me for some reason. But then also, the dude at Wendy's is loudly threatening some 16-year-old cashier in front of like 45 people. I got the impression the Wendy's guy was uncool, but the other guy seemed normal, and where I live, I generally assume that a stranger talking to me for no reason is either crazy or high."15. Lightning bugs"I live in the south, and one time I was hanging out with a friend smoking by a lake in late spring / early summer. He was Egyptian and had just moved here over the winter. All of a sudden, he freaked out, saying he was seeing weird lights in the trees. I thought he was too high or something before I realized he meant the lightning bugs. He'd never seen them and didn't know what they were, so I started catching them and he was mind blown that they were just a normal seasonal thing.""My ex was a native of Colorado and one summer night was completely awestruck by the lightening bugs, which I, as a native Nebraskan, just took for granted. Crazy how drastically different places in the US can be."