What would happen if humans disappeared overnight? More details in this New Scientist article. Makes you pause and think.
Tag » global-conscience
The Hippo Water Roller is a smart low-budget solution to the third world’s water transportation needs. Because water transportation cost so much time and energy, a simple invention such as this one could actually have dramatic socio-economic effects.
The Interactive Institute from Eskilstuna (Sweden) has some great product ideas to educate people about their power consumption, including a radiator made of lightbulbs and a radio that untunes itself when power consumption rises.
MIT has a really ambitious research underway for renewable energies. Speaking of which, these solar towers look really promising. Of course, all of this could be a moot point if these guys are legit.
The GM Highwire is an amazing hydrogen-powered, telematics-maneuvered, styling-changeable marvel of a car.
Pearl River Tower is an amazing eco-smart building that consumes 40% less energy than a typical skyscraper.
Apparently, flatscreen TVs consume four times as much electricity as regular TVs, which could have serious repercussions for the environment. Britain is dealing seriously with these issues, most recently by aiming to outlaw stand-by buttons. More on vampire devices, which account for as much as 10% of domestic electricity consumption.
The Watercone is a brilliantly simple and low-cost solution to purify water. For more great examples of design for the third world, check out Concrete Canvas and the Lifestraw.
Two interesting articles: one fairly aggressive one on the energy costs of food, and one by Jared Diamond on why agriculture is a bad thing. If you haven’t read it yet, I can highly recommend Jared’s book Guns, Germs and Steel.
PlayPumps is a clever invention that uses kids’ play to pump water.
