Stories of Change – Vol 2 : Youth Making A Difference

Web of Life from Charles Tsai on Vimeo.

Forgive this personal post but on this global Blog Action Day, I’d like to share with you a story I did back when I worked for CNN.  It was the first in a series of videos about biodiversity, a subject I had just learned about at the time.

Biodiversity helped me see the world in a new way – not as a collection of species – but as a web of interdependent life, ecosystems within ecosystems.  Everything is interconnected.

In my reporting, the gopher tortoise, a threatened species found in Florida, presented itself as the best ambassador for biodiversity – a model for how we might conduct ourselves in the world.

You see, the gopher tortoise digs tunnels underground to protect itself from predators.  But in so doing, it also offers refuge to hundreds of other species.

Unlike the gopher tortoise, we seem to forget that millions of other species share our planet and our actions often determine whether they live or die.

As the world contemplates climate change on this historic day and how we should minimize its negative impact, let’s also seize upon a positive vision of who we can be.  Let’s think about how we can be a student – rather than the enemy – of Florida’s gopher tortoise.

Charles Tsai
Director of Virtual Program
Ashoka GenV

It’s a $5 cooker that uses two cardboard boxes – one inside another – and an acrylic cover to trap the sun’s power for boiling and cooking.  The design is simple enough that it can be produced in existing cardboard factories in Africa.  In fact, a Nairobi, Kenya factory has been set up to manufacture 2.5 million boxes a month.

Kyoto Box would allow villagers to cook without firewood and fossil fuel, which would lead to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.  Another added benefit… reduced indoor smoke inhalation – a major health threat in much of the developing world.

In winning the challenge, Kyoto Energy, which makes the Kyoto Box, will receive $75,000.

Links:
Solar-powered cardboard cooker (Financial Times)

But not Eden Full.  The 16-year-old Canadian teen knows enough about the field that she has even invented a new device that can help solar panels maximize their performance.

How?  Her invention helps solar panels track the sun as it moves across the sky during the day so they get more direct exposure.  Tracking devices do exist but hers is made from affordable materials that are commonly found – even in developing countries.

We interviewed Eden to get to know the origins of her invention and how she thinks as an inventor.

Dynamic Photovoltaics uses bimetallic thermal expansion and hydraulic restrictor control to limit the rotational movement of a solar panel when following sunlight.

1) Describe the moment when you first thought of yourself as an inventor. What happened?

I decided I would be a scientist when I was three years old but I first thought of myself as an inventor in Grade 9 when I realized that I could take my lifelong interest in science and technology and apply it to an everyday issue that needed to be addressed in our global community.

Since I was nine years old, I have been doing solar panel-related research projects that gradually developed my interest and knowledge of renewable energy technologies.

I wanted to be able to explore this field further while helping others in lighting up their homes every night. As a child, I had always had a passion for learning more and increasing my knowledge. I believe that by improving energy accessibility, I can make this opportunity available to many others who have potential to make a difference as well.

2) How did the idea for Dynamic Photovoltaics come about?

Optimization of photovoltaic technology in energy collection has been a passion of mine for many years. I began conducting my own research on improving the efficiency and potential of solar energy. I have had the opportunity to present this research at science fairs for the past seven years, obtaining recognition on a national and international level.

Because of my involvement, I have also developed an awareness of environmental and energy accessibility concerns, which I hope to tackle through my work. My research is what has inspired me to utilize my lifelong passion for science to become a social entrepreneur.

3) What’s the greatest challenge in this project?

The greatest challenge in this project is gathering the financial resources necessary to continue revising prototypes and increasing awareness for the project. A majority of my research requires the purchase of very specific electrical and mechanical components in order to evaluate the function of particular aspects of my invention. As I am a high school student, it is difficult to find adequate resources and support for my initiative. Primarily, the monetary awards that Dynamic Photovoltaics have won are what support this project in purchasing components.

In the future, I hope that Dynamic Photovoltaics will be able to garner more support from the community for this cause. The more resources available will improve and increase the impact that this project has on society.

4) Which inventors do you find most inspirational? Why?

Hideki Kozima

Hideki Kozima is an inventor I find inspirational because he invented a robot that is not only capable of advancing modern technology in robotics, but also integrates into typical environments with people of all ages.

Geared particularly towards improving social communication in children with developmental disorders, Keepon is a lovable robot that embodies the concept of taking something innovative and using it to help others. Its user-friendliness also helps deliver a message to the world that inventions truly make a difference in our everyday lives. I believe that this is a very important principle to keep in mind as an inventor.

5) What do you think are the three essential qualities or skills of a great inventor?

• An inventor needs to be passionate about what they are doing in order to find the motivation to continue pursuing it.
• An inventor also needs to never give up, despite how difficult the situation is and how hopeless it may seem.
• An inventor needs to be creative in order to open their mind to new ideas and the input of others for the improvement of their invention.

6) Why are you so passionate about being an inventor?

I want to make a difference. Ultimately, I have yet to truly figure out how I will do so, but I believe that inventing is a good start on my part.

7) In the years to come, what issue or problem would you like to tackle with your inventive spirit?

I am very passionate about energy accessibility. I hope that I can continue to pursue this issue in developing a technology that is accessible to all audiences of different educational backgrounds.

Related Post:
VENTURE: Dynamic Photovoltaics

FLOW is Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century – The World Water Crisis.

Link: Website

Dear Malia and Sasha, 

I know that you’ve both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn’t have let you have. But I also know that it hasn’t always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn’t make up for all the time we’ve been apart. I know how much I’ve missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey. 

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I’d make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn’t seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation. 

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential-schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college-even if their parents aren’t rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity. 

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you’ll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other. 

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country-but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free-that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility. 

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something. 

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better-and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It’s a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be. 

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you’ve had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential. 

These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That’s why I’ve taken our family on this great adventure. 

I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House. 

Who’s designing for this “other 90%”?  A lot of creative minds, apparently.

Design for the Other 90% is an exhibit that pays homage to ingenious solutions for the developing world. Here are just some examples:

Big Boda is a bike capable of carrying hundreds of pounds of cargo.

Q Drum is a durable container designed to roll easily.

PermaNet is a long-lasting, insecticide-treated mosquito net.

The exhibit can be viewed in person if you’re in Toronto, Canada or Atlanta, USA.  Or you can view it online at the exhibit’s website.

Standing over a fire is nostalgic, but certainly not environmentally friendly or efficient. The wood required to fuel these fires is causing deforestation.

My solution is one that has already proven to be both environmentally friendly and efficient, but requires more monetary resources than struggling Dominicans can afford. Improved ceramic stoves can be built using local materials; i.e. cinder blocks, concrete, and ceramic pieces.

Dominican families participating in the project are required to contribute a small monetary amount, as well as to help in the construction of the stove. As the stoves are built, enthusiasm for the project grows. The project demonstrates the families’ willingnes s to work towards a cleaner live for themselves, their country and their world.

The improved ceramic stove reduces the amount of smoke in the air thus contributing to reduce climate change, and consumes one third of the fuel used in an open fire, taking pressure off the country’s forest cover.

A Dominican mother smoothing the concrete finish on the top of her new improved ceramic cook stove.

Many wood drying facilities are electrical but a solar powered wood kiln would save tons of money and wood could possibly still be dried at a high rate. 

The solar wood kiln is a very high tech yet low tech idea. 

This idea is being explored by my father and I in Pakistan.

We aim at improving city environment, providing gainful employment and making a win-win situation for the environment as well as city commuters. Apart from making improvements in the existing model, we aim at providing new and innovative solutions. Proper implementation of the proposed model can bring down the pollution level of towns by 40-50%. 

We provide an eco-friendly and health-risk free mode of transportation. This new mode of transportation is named as Pedicab version 2.0 (PCv2.0). This PCv2.0 is a non-motorized and environmentally safe mode of transportation. Pedi cab stops will be introduced on major and long routes. A commuter can change the pedicab at these stops if he/she wishes to travel for long distances. A patent is in process for the method of our business. A prototype has already been made and was displayed in APOGEE-08, the tech-fest of BITS-Pilani.

A very busy road during office hours. These kinds of scenes are what ETS India, aims at preventing by implementing its proposed transport models.