There was a BBC Two documentary, Five Ways To Save The World, on this evening that put forward some great ideas about how we can begin to save the planet from the incoming global warming threat.
One of the solutions (maybe solutions is a bit strong) is a synthetic tree, a construction that mimics the function of natural trees whereby leaves pull carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the air as it flows over them.
Richard Bransons new toy? I hope not.
It seems Richard Branson, following his announcement last year to commit himself to combating climate change, has decided to make solving climate change a real money maker!
Sir Richard Branson and Al Gore announced the Virgin Earth Challenge, a $25 million global science and technology prize to try to encourage a viable technology which will result in the removal of at least 1 billion tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
I think this could potentially get some of the great scientists out of the woodwork looking to make themselves a small fortune.
he big question should be is that the best motive to make real changes? I’m not sure, but any motive at this point is a bonus.
Get into your sheds and get tinkering!
Its great to see the UK joining an elite group of countries and becomming only the seventh nation in the world to have more than two gigawatts (GW) of operational wind power capacity.
So what you might say!? well it means we are at leastmoving in the right direction andrenewable enrygu is on the up.
Maria McCafferty, British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) chief executive, said passing the 2GW mark was a “tremendous step forward“.
Below are the stats of the super 7!
(Source: BWEA)
The bbc have an interesting article here about it, with more information
As part of this new section of OrganicLinker.com we are pleased to bring you our first product review.
The Water Powered Calculator
The H2O Power Digi Calculator - to give it its full name - is a great little product that demonstrates great forward thinking. It is part of TangoGroups WaterPowered Range that includes 2 different calculators and 2 clocks. Each of these run on their patented water powered batteries. The blurb from their site quotes the technology as such…
The patented technology simulates a basic battery oncept where two electrodes consisting of specially formulated alloys, one positive the other negative, are immersed in water. As soon as water comes in contact with both electrodes an electrochemical reaction takes place resulting in the production of electrical energy. To maintain a constant supply of energy simply refill as the water evaporates. This system has a minimum continuous life of at least 2 years.
The box with the calculator in arrived through the post direct from Tango Group and I felt like a small boy with a new toy that had top be played with. I finally had my first eco product review to do.
Any thoughts of a review, or work for that matter went out of the window and it was straight to the kitchen sink to see if this “magical” battery really did work. Maybe it was some bogus claim that had us all duped? I immediately opted for the classic male approach to technology and bypassed any form of instruction manual that fell from the box and immediately filled the battery. The battery holds less than a thimble amount of water and this will keep the wee beast powered for about once a month. Once filled it is simply a case of plugging it into the slot and you are away.
It really did work, water was powering it, not an environment destroying AA battery but simple H2O. Could this be a step towards reducing battery consumption? That remains to be seen, after all the water battery has plastic and metal parts and it does eventually need to be replaced. The lifespan for each of the tiny sized battery is quoted as being ‘useful’ for 2 years, though Tango will guarantee the battery for 1.
I was so pleased with the technology of it that I even annoyed my friends by proving to them that it did work, and not only did it power it, it actually did the calculation correctly, like for some reason it wouldn’t!
In conclusion I feel this is a great little product that demonstrates a technology that could really go somewhere. It is a gimmicky toy, but a good harmless one that any eco warrior with accounts to do is sure to appreciate. Maybe its time to go out and get hold of the scientific version! Surely you cant calculate serious trigonometric equations on a contraption powered by something you get from the tap in the kitchen!
The Calculator and many other great eco gadgets are made by Tango Group Ltd (www.tangogroup.net) and they have a list of recommended retailers that can be found at http://www.tangogroup.co.uk/stores.htm.
Ok so it seems as though we have most of the rework going now so it is time to get back to the real issues!!
We hope the new design gives more of a friendly and “light” feel, which is what we were going for.
As part of the relaunch (ish) we have a few nice eco products that we have kindly been sent to test and play with. These reviews, we hope, will become a regular feature here on Organiclinker, so if you have anything you would like us to look at please get in touch.
We hope you enjoy 