Crowdsourcing To Find The Future’s Carbon-Saving Solutions

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White LogoJust over 6 weeks ago, the EarthHack competition was launched, asking competitors to come up with ways to save at least 1 million tons of CO2 per annum by 2020 by modifying existing technology into products for a more sustainable home. The hosts of the competition, Marblar, in partnership with The Climate Group and with the support of IKEA and Philips, formed the competition to act upon the huge quantity of carbon emissions that our homes currently produce through energy consumption, waste creation and even water usage — water creates carbon emissions when treated and supplied to our homes as well as in wastewater treatment afterwards.

There is an experienced judging panel including Professor Sir Richard Friend and Professor Sir Chris Llewellyn as well as representatives from IKEA and Philips that will provide feedback and choose the winning idea.

Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith, the former director of CERN said: “Nearly 30% of the world’s primary energy is used in residential buildings which are therefore an excellent place to look for large energy savings. EarthHack will stimulate novel applications of existing technologies that will lower energy bills and decrease carbon emissions, thereby underwriting a better future for us and our descendants.”

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Competitors globally compete and collaborate to create low-carbon solutions by repurposing existing technology. The competition is a unique opportunity for people passionate about the environment to:

  • Display their creative side while working with 1000s of bright minds across the globe to create new applications.
  • Share in a prize pot of $25,000.
  • Fly to New York City to receive their award during Climate Week NYC 2013 at the Bloomberg offices.
  • Have their ideas evaluated by Philips and IKEA for a potential incorporation into their product portfolio.

Since launch, almost 200 ideas have been submitted. These range from high-tech solutions to simple concepts that will help cut carbon emissions across the world. Two of the most promising entries (we think) are:

Finalists will be shortlisted at the beginning of August and refined throughout the month. From these, a winner will be chosen and will receive their reward at Climate Week NYC. Post-competition, and with the help of IKEA and Philips, the winning idea will be developed into a new product. Head on over to the competition page for more information or to get involved: http://marblar.com/challenge/earthhack-sustainable-homes.


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