5 Innovative Eco-Gadgets You Should Know About
Climate change has been a hot topic ever since the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that both 2015 and 2016 have produced some of the hottest months on record, with global temperatures rising well above long-term averages. Like most people, you're probably wondering what you can do to scale back on your own energy usage and work towards protecting the environment. Luckily for all you tech lovers, this infographic by Powershop demonstrates that going greener doesn't necessarily mean going tech-free. There are plenty of ways technology can help us conserve energy and minimise our carbon footprint. But how can you get started if installing solar panels or using smart window technology is still a bit beyond your budget? Here are a few nifty eco-gadgets that can help you begin your quest for a greener lifestyle without breaking the bank. 1. Water-powered alarm clock If you're looking for an outlandish gift for an eco-minded friend or just want something cool to stare at while you procrastinate at work, the Bedol Water Clock certainly fits the bill. The water clock is designed to generate energy using the naturally occurring positive and negative ions in water. It can run for months at a time on nothing but tap water, after which you'll simply need to top it up again. 2. Solar Window Charger The XD Design Solar Window Charger is similar to other portable solar chargers that can power up mobile devices on the go, but has the added benefit of sticking to the inside of any available window to ensure that it's always collecting as much solar energy as possible. This means whether you're at the office, in your car or on a train, you can be storing up energy to use later. The device needs 13 hours of sunlight to charge fully and should be able to charge your smartphone in about three to four hours. 3. Shower timer If you're not already using a water efficient shower head, you should definitely consider investing in one, as they're relatively low cost and can dramatically reduce the amount of water you use each time you shower. But another way to conserve water and energy is to simply take quicker showers, and this is where the Eco Showerdrop can help. Because it's harder to enjoy long and luxurious showers when you know you're letting hundreds of litres of water flow down the drain unnecessarily, this waterproof gadget, which claims to be able to save a family of four over $200 a year, lets you know exactly how much water you're using and sets off an alarm once you've used more than the recommended amount. 4. Solar-Powered LED Lamp The Sunnytech Solar-Powered LED Lamp is a versatile gadget that can be used at your desk, while camping, or virtually anywhere else you may need a wireless light source. It needs about five hours of sunlight to charge up, after which you'll have at least five hours of light at the brightest setting. The lamp is just 20 cm long, foldable, and is fitted with a USB port so you can use the battery to give your phone a quick boost of energy in case of an emergency. 5. Epiphany onE Puck Although it's not on the market just yet, the technology behind the Epiphany onE Puck could change the way we power up our electronics. The device, which resembles an oversized coaster, should be able to charge smartphones and other mobile devices using nothing but the energy produced by a steaming hot cup of coffee or ice cold beer. It runs on a miniature Sterling engine which uses heat disparities to produce energy, and while it's not yet powerful enough to charge larger devices such as laptops, if the prototype is successful it will likely only be a matter of time before a more advanced version is developed.
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