Technology has surely given us what we need to protect our Earth from disaster, but most of these technologies are affordable only by developed countries. So what about developing nations who also face the same problems but don’t have means to implement them? The answer is simple – Design low-tech and cheap products that can solve major problems.
Some of these simple solutions were shown at the first International Development Design Summit. One of the main problems in developing nations is the access to safe and pure drinking water. Going by the stats of United Nations, one-fifth of the world’s population lacks access to safe drinking water. And most out of them don’t have the means to buy high-tech water purifiers. Scientists have presented an easy alternative – a transparent plastic backpack, which uses the heat and ultraviolet rays of the sun to disinfect the water inside.
Developers of this amazing backpack hope that their product should retail below $5. It was one of the 10 low-tech products that were developed in just four weeks by participants from 20 countries. These participants have done a great job by developing low cost techniques that can address some of the most stubborn problems of developing nations.
Via: Tree Hugger
