innovation

Pedaling to Cleaner Water

Topics: Water

This isn't an adult tricycle, it's an innovative way to reduce the number of people — estimated at 1.1 billion — who lack access to clean drinking water.

The Aquaduct is essentially a bicycle that can transport and filter up to 20 gallons of water at a time.

It's simple to use: Just ride to your local water source and pour water into the rear holding tank. As you ride home, the pedaling forces the water through a filtration system and into a smaller holding tank in the front. You can also filter the water by pedaling in place.

Watch the video to see how it all works.

Clean Burning Stoves

Recognizing the health and pollution concerns associated with traditional wood-burning stoves, researchers from Envirofit are developing a cleaner burning stove that reduces smoke output and uses less firewood. It is estimated that "80 percent of rural households in developing countries cook with solid fuels like wood, coal, crop residues and dung." (World Health Organization)

From the Archives

Harnessing Design and Innovation to Fight Poverty

Previously filed under: Technology
A new trend in employing innovative technology and design to improve the lives of the world's poor is gaining much attention—but it's not without its critics.

From the Archives

The Old Saga of Not Enough Jobs

Previously filed under: North America, Global Economy
Many workers fear that technological innovations and outsourcing will lead to fewer available jobs. Economist Bernard Wasow argues that this is not necessarily true.

From the Archives

Neal Keny-Guyer - Social Entrepreneurship at Mercy Corps

Topics: Humanitarian Aid
Previously filed under: Interviews
Neal Keny-Guyer views Mercy Corps' innovative practices and commitment to social entrepreneurship as key to success.

From the Archives

Gross Domestic Innovation

Previously filed under: Asia, Global Economy
Purdue University researcher Balkrishna Rao says that OECD countries will need to be more innovative in order to adapt to a growing global workforce.

Breaking News

Zimbabwe: Irony of Rich Farmers Without Cash

All Africa - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 13:16
ZIMBABWE'S tobacco farmers are having cash problems. They have so much money in their pockets, but cannot buy what they need because it is in the form of cheques.

Ghana: Fisheries Act Forbids Foreign Vessels From Fishing

All Africa - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 12:22
The Ministry of Fisheries has denied allegations by a group, called the Joint Action Against Pair Trawling (JAAPT) that foreign vessels have invaded Ghana's fishing industry and all vessels plying the coastal areas of the country are engaged in pair trawling activities. It says the allegations are simply untrue.

Surplus Rice in Japan 'Could End Rice Crisis'

OneWorld Daily Headlines - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 19:44
Selling excess rice held in Japan and imported from the United States would incite a rapid drop in the global price of rice but requires immediate action from Tokyo and Washington, write former editor of The Rice Trader, Tom Slayton, and policy analyst, Peter Timmer.

Half in Ten

OneWorld Daily Headlines - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 19:44
Four prominent American social justice groups are launching a campaign to halve poverty in the United States in 10 years.

Myanmar Farmers May Miss Harvest

New York Times - Thu, 05/15/2008 - 21:34
The timing of Cyclone Nargis, which disrupted farmers as they were preparing to plant, could not have been worse.

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