It is not always easy to vividly demark the boundary between what is conventional and what is unconventional. At times conventional techniques can become the fountainhead for an unconventional innovation and vice versa. Be it nations or enterprises, all have to think beyond earning profits and work together to undo the devastation caused to the environment. Some self motivated individuals are already out with stunning creations and more are in line, ideating about the future solutions that will rescue the aggrieved people, who are victims of climate change and other global phenomenon. Lets take a sneak peek into a few such innovative techniques.
1. Ivanhoe Reservoir
In order to ensure safe drinking water to almost 6, 00,000 consumers , the Los Angles Water Department and Power dumped about 4,00,000 plastic balls into the Ivanhoe Reservoir to protect it from the harmful rays of the sun. The water in the reservoir is replete with chlorine and bromide, which intrinsically might not be as harmful, but when sunlight falls on the bromide and chlorine molecules a compound called carcinogen bromate is formed, which is hazardous for health. The black plastic balls were chosen due to the property of the color black that absorbs light and hence will prevent its direct contact with water.
2. Virtually Waterless Washing Machine
Xerox, the wonder washing machine is the new entrant in the eco-friendly electronic segment that uses as little as one cup of water per washing cycle to launder your clothes. Ideated by the Researchers University of Leeds, it not only conserves water, but also makes sure that there is complete stain removal. The use of almost no water also comes with the added advantage of no extra dryer for clothes.
3. Eco-Laptop
After the leather notebook, Asus is now out with An Eco book whose sleek outer case is made of Bamboo. The inside of the eco book is even more interesting, with all interior made of recycled plastic and neatly lined with a coarse cardboard. It prides for not using any paint or even electroplating for the various components. The Ecobook is stylish to carry around and leaves a mark on spectators.
4. Chicago Eco-Bridge
Adrain Smith+ Gordon Gill a local Chicago firm, are all set for planting a two mile eco bridge in Monroe Harbor, that will connect the end of City Centre and Grant Park forming a semicircle which will encase a lake. This inland area will be used for sailing and rowing. The center of the bridge will be towered to allow visitors to get a spectacular view of the city beyond and the lake below.
5. Floating Ecopolis for Climate Refugees/Lilypad
Vincent Callebaut is a futuristic that comes up with future solutions for the survival of mankind, once again has been compelled to create a green retreat that will accommodate about 50,000 people aggrieved due to rising levels of water in the oceans and other effects of global warming. The intergovernmental group on the evaluation of climate has predicted that the ocean water levels will rise from 20 to 90 cm during the 21st century. The space ship looking structure by Vincent will be called “Floating Ecopolis for Climate Refugees” is designed to tackle precisely this problem. The aerial view shows that the structure will be covered with green walls with a palm oasis in the center and the structural construct underneath will serve as a bed for oceanic plants, etc.
