Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, commemorates the beginning of the environmental movement and promotes the importance of green living. The holiday encourages us to adopt sustainable lifestyles and renewable sources of energy. More importantly it acknowledges the progress accomplished by the international community in terms of ecological technology and legislation.
This year, due to America’s reluctance to participate in the Paris Agreement, the future of environmental progress is riddled with uncertainty. As a result, it is more important than ever, to rally people in support of environmental protection and to remind them about the potential of the ecological movement.
In the last couple of years there have been several inventions which have the potential to revolutionize the sustainability debate.
1. LifeStraw
More than 2.4 billion people worldwide lack access to clean water and are subsequently exposed to diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever. LifeStraw is a product, which was designed in order to filter out microbiological contaminants in order to guarantee access to safe water for people in developing countries. Globally, the LifeStraw’s Giveback Program has reached 1,015,652 students and 1,621 schools. The company has declared that its mission is to reduce the amount of plastic in our bodies and in our environments.
2. Weaving a Home
In the face of recent military struggles and environmental disasters, the world has experienced an unprecedented wave of human displacement. Jordanian-Canadian architect and designer Abeer Seikaly has attempted to offer an eco-friendly housing solution, which would be able, accommodate refugees regardless of their location. She designed a lightweight, mobile, weatherproof multipurpose tent. The structure harnesses renewable energy, allows for controlled ventilation and collects rainwater. The prototype has already won the Lexus Design Award bur designer is set on redefining the design in order to enhance the properties of the tent. She is determined to offer a comfortable and dignified housing solution to the world’s refugees.
3. Plastic-Eating Enzyme
Scientists have accidently discovered a plastic-eating enzyme which has the potential to significantly reduce our plastic pollution crisis. The researchers are currently working on improving the enzyme in order to speed up the time in which it is able to break down plastic. Although the bacteria aren’t currently capable of solving the problem of ocean pollution, scientists are incredibly optimistic about the potential of the discovery.
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