United States of Efficiency Contest

One of my favorite websites to peruse when not learning about the detriments occurring to our planet everyday, is a website called instructables. It is a DIY based website where people around America upload different projects for other people to do. There are all kinds of different instructional ideas put up everyday, ranging from dorky crafts to highly involved technological toys.

One thing that I just noticed on the website is very interesting and relevant for this class though too!

The website is featuring a complete green section to their DIY projects and is also holding a contest on energy efficiency. So, in essence, people are going to just upload different things they have created that are eco-friendly and reduce energy waste. Instructables partnered up with EarthJustice to hold this competition and they are offering a macbook pro as the top prize! Too bad I saw this competition too late, but as of now the final entrants are being voted on.

One of the ideas that I thought was pretty cool was this portable iPod or iPhone solar charger... Very fashionable and yet, eco-friendly. And honestly, who hasn't needed to charge their iPod without having their computer around? I think it is a pretty good idea and these kinds of websites are becoming much more popular. They put the power of change in the hands of every day people and also allow those people to show off their good ideas for gadgets.

There are a whole host of other entries in the competition and I will post a follow up describing the winning instructable.