Georgiy, 15, USA - The Next Big Step organization is a non-profit group that operates to convert small communities to more environmentally conscious, “green”, habits. The group will introduce itself to small businesses concerned with being both environmentally responsible and surviving these tough economic times.

NBS will perform an energy audit and calculate the negative impact of the business on the environment and their pocketbook. In particular we will investigate wasteful areas such as: light bulbs, heating and ventilating systems, air conditioning, unnecessary use of electricity, of water, plastic bags instead of paper ones, and the lack of a recycling program.

We will then formulate a method that will create a smooth transition, be partly paid for by NBS and partly by the client. The transition will correct all of their energy inefficiencies and install new, environmentally friendly items into their facility.

After completing the installation we will leave the company and return six months to a year later to evaluate the energy efficiency of their facilities and how much they have saved as a result of the transition. If they have saved as much as we had calculated, then they will return us our original investment thus keeping our company sustainable.

NBS: Georgiy, Oliver, Blake and Mallory

Juan Carlo, 20, Philippines - In my country food is everywhere from restaurants, to fast food chains, to rolling stores and even rolling carts, that is because everyone loves to eat. Food carts are the best way to attract people’s attention and can be able to go to different places from urban streets to rural villages. The idea is basically to try to communicate with everyone the need for an action in environmental issues and show actual and promising solutions. 

The SOLAR Food Cart will be run by volunteers from environmental groups/organizations such as the Solar Generation-Pilipinas which advocates Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. The solar cart can be passed from one community/school/volunteer’s house to another. Every stop the food cart will sell food and set-up an exhibit to campaign for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

The SOLAR Food Cart: campaigns renewable energy, advocates healthy living through exercise like cycling, shows alternative way of transport, promotes organic and locally grown healthy foods which the cart will sell, and establishes a sustainable and eco-friendly business.

The SOLAR Food Cart targets the local government sector, transport sector, business sector, energy sector and every citizen.

Solar Food Cart powered by PV (Photovoltaic) Panels and driven by a bicycle which also recharges the batteries mechanically.

This February, we will organize a Minnesota Campus Energy Challenge (MCEC). This friendly statewide competition to reduce college and high school energy use will promote a pioneering mindset in which energy conservation, efficiency, and revolution become realities across Minnesota. The MCEC is an innovative approach for energy conservation through which students will evaluate, measure, and change their energy use habits. 

The organization of the competition is the responsibility of college students partnering with grassroots youth coalitions such as the Transcampus Energy Action Movement (TEAM MN), local high schools, and college environmental organizations. Beginning with the February Campus Energy Challenge, we will use these partnerships to change first college and then statewide environmental policies.

The competition seeks to educate, engage, and empower Minnesotan students using a variety of methods. Teach-ins, debates, and speakers will be educational. Building weatherization, energy monitoring, waste reduction, and similar projects to normalize reduced energy consumption will empower action and catalyze further community organizing. Other events (such as acoustic concerts and campus campouts) and the prize for the winning school that most reduces its energy consumption will create an exciting and lasting culture focused on sustainability.

Naupada, 19, India - While we walk out of a room having a 60W bulb without switching it off, the power wastage snow balls to approximately 22,000W per year. If this is the case of a single bulb what about the other appliances in our house hold.

My idea is to develop a electronic system which automatically turns ‘off’ and ‘on’ the appliances in a room. It works with cheap circuitry. What it does is very simple, it counts the number of persons entering a room then for the presence of a single person the lights in the room turn on. Then when a person comes out of the room the system deducts the number from the previously counted value. When the value becomes zero i.e. when no person is present in the room the light and appliances turn off automatically. This project finds itself useful not only in homes but also in schools,colleges etc.

Though this system is a complicated substitute to a simple turning off of the switches but it is essential because power consumption is a major factor contributing to the pollution, particularly in a nation where large amount of power is generated using fossil fuels. A unit prevented from wastage is equal to 1.5 units generated.

Circuit of system that automatically turns lights on/off

Govinda, 20, India - Microbial fuel cells make it possible to generate electricity using bacteria. We experimented by using sludge for fuel in the anode and the oxygen released by a water plant or algae as the oxidant in cathode. This process has been referred to simply as the bacterial electrolysis of organic matter because the protons and electrons are derived from the organic matter and not water.

This plan will be just an addition to an existing biogas plan where this plant will give electricity and semi treated water which will be passed to send filter then this water can be used for household purposes and semi-decomposed sludge will pass to biogas plant for further decomposition along with cow dung and crop residue.

Initial investment will be high but future output is very profitable. rural people will get electricity, water, and manure for farms and biogas as fuel and they can save lot of money. Again this will be provide job opportunity and extra manure and biogas can be sold to get income.

Fernando, 17, Mexico - My twin brother, a couple of friends and I are developing a project in which we are making an ecological movement. In this movement that is named ecofit, we are selling solar chargers for cell phones, ipod. And a wristband distintive from our group that comes with a small booklet that says simple ways of helping with the global warming issue.

A percentage will be given to a foundation that helps ecology. We are negotiating with maple.org and pro valle.  We think it’s a very accessible way to show Mexican people how they can start using renewable energy.

Publicity is made through our blog http://exafit.blogspot.com, and our groups in facebook and hi5.

Sindre, 15, Norway - My idea is to have electric generators in all of the workout centres in the world.

Every bike in every centre could be connected to a generator.  The centres could make theie own power, and maybe enough to sell or give to others.

I want to do this because I want the next generation to have the same good life as I have.  I think that this could, maybe not save the world, but maybe it is a step in the right direction.

Clay, 14, USA - I will get my community to use LED and compact flourescent bulbs, and recycle their CFLs, which contain mercury. I’ll install LED and CFL bulbs in a test location. I will do this at the beginning of an electrical bill cycle so that the reduced energy costs can be tracked on the bulletin board for people to see how this effort can save them money.

I will install many different types of bulbs and wattages, so that people will understand that they can get the same effect as incandescents with new, more sustainable lighting options. LED lights use only about 4% of the energy used in an incandescent, and can last for thirty years. The cost/benefit analysis of each option will be highlighted so that people can decide how quick of a payback they will need.

Educating the public through my brochures, presentations, and articles in the newspapers help make them aware of the potential energy and cost savings, potential problems associated with m ercury in CFLs, and ways to face those problems. Making CFL recycling bins available provides a way for conscientious citizens to recycle CFLs. I’ll also teach about LEDs, which will soon become the most cost-effective bulb choice.

Unable to afford school fees, William Kamkwamba, 14, dropped out of secondary school in Malawi and taught himself to make a windmill from scratch.

His invention generated more than just electricity for his village (which never had power), but also lots of attention - from the media and the social sector.

Why? Not only does he show how innovative young people can be, he also offers hope that Africa can power itself with clean renewable energy.

Watch William’s remarkable story in this short documentary (below) that premiered on Pangea Day.