With booming population growth, resource scarcity, and increasing global temperatures - are obscure or expensive green gadgets necessary? The growth of the green economy has opened the door for a variety of green innovations - some of which appeal to a small, elite audience and have little to do with lowering your carbon footprint.
In the face of unnecessary innovations, environmental advocates are quick to point out that the foundation of sustainability comes from responsible resource use and energy-efficiency. I agree that some green gadgets are excessive and miss the point, but we need to inspire people from all walks of life to think creatively about green solutions. There must be a balance between encouraging innovation and demanding green sensibilities.
Mission Motors' recent release of a $68,995 Electric Motorcycle at the 2009 TED Conference (Technology, Entertainment, Design) has reignited the debate about pricey green gadgets. Despite the hefty price tag, the motorcycle's 150 mph top speed and 150-mile battery range are enough to make both bike enthusiasts and environmentalists take notice. The all electric motor and high-energy lithium ion battery pack provide the range and acceleration needed for a top performance bike. The new battery management technology is an exciting advancement for green consumers, but the price tag may only appeal to true gadget-heads and speed bike enthusiasts.
Nonetheless, Mission Motor's fast and green-friendly motorcycle demonstrates an important lesson: utility and function do not need to be compromised to design a clean vehicle. Demonstrating the superior function and utility of electric vehicles, is an important step to expand the clean transportation industry.
Mission Motors has achieved its goal to "build a zero emissions vehicle with a definitive new style and enough performance to beat gasoline and prove to the world that the future of performance is electric." Their passion for motorcycles led to the production of innovative battery management technology that could prove useful in other applications. The ability to manage more energy dense lithium-ion batteries could extend the range of other electric vehicles.
Although prototypes and gadgets tend to be expensive, they inspire the imagination needed for more growth and innovation. Marc Alt and Jill Fehrenbacher, the founders of the Greener Gadgets Conference, believe in the importance of sharing creative innovations and green solutions.
In addition to greening the existing consumer electronics industry, the conference hosts a Greener Gadgets design competition. With the 2009 conference quickly approaching (Feb. 27th), organizers have posted the top 50 green gadgets on their website so the public can vote on the top 10. The website urges viewers to "get inspired, and vote below!".
Right now, voters are favoring gadgets that measure personal water-use, energy-use and local environmental conditions. The message is clear - green consumers want more information in order to regulate their actions. While the Bware Water Meter would shorten my indulgent hot-showers, I would happily accept lower water bills. In the same vein, the designers of the Environmental Traffic Light (which measures and displays individual aspects of air quality) want to give consumers "environmental signals that support decision making on environmental issues".
The energy-metering Power-Hog is a piggy bank that plugs into electronics to help kids (and adults) understand how much power they use. The piggy bank will also help parents monitor the time kids spend glued to the TV - dropping loose change into the bank will meter 30 minutes of use.
The Greener Gadget Design Competition could be an important signal to companies who are trying to learn more about the consumer demand for green products. As energy and water prices continue to rise and resources dwindle, these types of imaginative resource meters could be an effective tool to teach green habits and lower utility bills. While some green gadgets may be indulgent and ineffective, we need unconventional and creative ideas to further the discovery of real sustainable solutions.
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