Peter Yeung
Peter Yeung is a Contributing Editor at Reasons to be Cheerful. A Paris-based journalist, he also writes for publications including the Guardian, the LA Times and the BBC. He’s filed stories from across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
The Computer Designed to Last
Repairable, upgradable computers are here, and could make your next laptop something you own for a very long time.
France Is Freeing Fruit and Veg from Its Plastic Prison
Under a new law, a large portion of the country’s produce will no longer be sold in single-use plastic containers.
Milan Is Winning the Fight Against Food Waste
The city’s groundbreaking “zero waste” strategy aims to leave no meal behind.
Potty Trained Cows Are No Joke for the Climate
Researchers are teaching cows to pee in designated places where the urine can be collected and neutralized, sharply reducing methane emissions.
‘Eco-Score’ Labels Make Shopping More Sustainable
A simple letter-grading system in the U.K. has led to a significant shift towards ecologically greener foods.
‘Community Ownership’ Might Be the Best Way to Fight Deforestation
When forests are managed by the people who live in them, conservation tends to follow.
Could Low-Carbon Trains Cure Europe’s Flying Addiction?
A new generation of sleeper cars and short-haul routes are helping railways compete against discount airlines.
Why ‘Work from Anywhere’ Works for Refugees
As remote employment becomes the norm, some refugees are discovering new opportunities and autonomy.
Returning 600,000 Acres to Nature, One Piece at a Time
As homeowners, churches and even railway operators “rewild” their land, biodiversity is flocking back to England’s East Anglia region.
The Fridge the Vaccines Have Been Waiting For
Ice-chilled, powered by the sun and cold for weeks without electricity, the future of refrigeration is here — and just in time.
France’s ‘Peevolution’ Is Irrigating Farms With Liquid Gold
A century ago, Paris recycled half of its urine. Today, it’s being used as a high-grade fertilizer once again.
Ancient Farming Techniques Are Climate-Proofing Today’s Agriculture
In the Bolivian Andes, the low-water growing practices used by Mayans and Aztecs are making a comeback.
For a Clean Ocean, Just Add Oysters
From picturesque Mediterranean isles to New York’s bustling harbor, strategically placed oyster colonies are depolluting the sea with ease.
French Cuisine Has Gone Off the Grid
As other businesses go green, food service remains an energy-intensive outlier. Europe’s first solar-powered restaurant wants to change the recipe.
How Bogotá’s Waste Pickers Reinvented Their Jobs for a Modern City
As waste collection gets professionalized, the people who keep Bogotá clean and green are making sure they’re not left behind.
Ask Me Anything! Our New Contributing Editor Peter Yeung
What makes Paris special? Any tips for learning French? You asked, Peter answered.
No Smoking — Ever? New Zealand’s Plan to Stub Out Cigarettes
In an era of decriminalization, a proposal to phase in a total ban has some harm-reduction advocates scratching their heads.
In Paris, More Student Diversity Means Less Private School Flight
An experiment in shuffling kids from school to school saw more families stick with the public system.
Spain’s Four-Day Work Week Is a Game Changer
Most experiments with four-day weeks have been motivated by corporate self-interest. That could be changing.
In France, Accents Are Now Protected by Law
A groundbreaking new rule aims to let people speak freely and without fear of discrimination.