GOOD Ideas
Oil is an expensive resource that is rapidly becoming harder to find. Eventually, we are going to have to find a new renewable fuel source to replace it. These scientists think they already have—algae.
Our planet is a fragile ecosystem. To maintain balance, we’ll have to find ways to bring sustainable agriculture to our growing cities. The Science Barge, a floating farm in New York City, is proof that we can. The barge grows produce hydroponically, using only sustainable energy, and teaches local students how to do the same on their rooftops.
Seasonal allergy sufferers, rejoice! Japanese scientists have deployed an army of anthropomorphic pollen sensors across the country in an effort to aid the 15 million Japanese allergic to pollen. These Pollen Bots’ eyes change color depending on the pollen count so allergy sufferers can plan their outdoor activities accordingly. For those of us with hay fever, that’s nothing to sneeze at.
Decades of war and internal strife have left Cambodia with one of the highest proportions of people disabled by land mines in the world. The country’s only professional sports league is the Cambodian National Volleyball League (Disabled), a network of volleyball teams whose players once fought against each other in times of civil war and now face each other on the court.
From cicadas who hibernate for 17 years to checkerboard-camouflaged cuttlefish, some animals have powers that border on the super. Artists Kenichi Okada and Chris Woebken have created three devices designed to give children a chance to experience heightened animal senses. For example, their Bird Device consists of a GPS that vibrates when oriented towards home, simulating the instincts of migratory fowl. Personally, we’re hoping the adult models will be on the market by year’s end.
Giant jellyfish have invaded the northern coasts of the Japanese islands and they’re causing problems. Frustrated local fishermen are hauling in little else. So one company, RIKEN, is trying to make marketable products from these gelatinous monsters.
With space at such a premium in Manhattan, New Yorkers are accustomed to thinking vertically when it comes to housing. Now bees are getting in on the action. David Graves, an urban beekeeper, tends his hives far above the bustle of New York on rooftops throughout the city. His buzzworthy honey gets rave reviews for its delicate sweetness and for the relief it offers allergy sufferers. But with Colony Collapse Disorder threatening his livelihood, we’re left wondering what a world without honey bees would be like. Not so sweet.
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Constantly reaching slightly beyond our grasp is what steers us to the best ideas, and leaves us ready to face the yet-unknown challenges of tomorrow, according to GOOD. Consider the following:
- Can algae be the renewable fuel source to replace oil?
- Could a floating farm provide sustainable agriculture in the world’s largest metropolitan areas?
- Can “pollen robots” inform Japanese allergy suffers of the current pollen count?
Ideas abound to improve our lives; find out some of the best ideas as Halogen brings you these videos full of GOOD ideas.
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