The Solargorilla gives you more solar power
Solar power is a great eco-friendly solution, but the problem with many solar powered chargers is they simply aren’t capable of charging more energy-sapping devices. The Solargorilla solar laptop charger takes solar power to the next level. The Solargorilla is the latest solar charger from Powertraveller and comes with two solar panels. It is capable of charging most laptops, notebooks, games consoles, music players and mobile phones: it even comes with two sockets, so you can charge up your laptop and mobile phone at the same time! Designed for travel, the Solargorilla has tough, durable solid panels but folds up into its Neoprene case when not in use. It even has a special slot allowing it to be hung from a tent, caravan or vehicle, so it’s perfect for travelling. If a Solargorilla is more power than you need, you can always try the more compact Solarmonkey. Also designed by Powertraveller, the Solarmonkey is a smaller device which is ideal for recharging mobile phones, Ipods, and even some digital cameras and games consoles. This device also offers the ability to save energy into a smaller capacity device, the Monkey Nut. This allows you to still use the charger when the sun has gone in, and stores extra standby power – so you’ll always be able to make that vital call! Like the Solargorilla, it comes with a selection of connector tips and a travel case. So whatever your energy requirements, you can go nuts for these solar devices!
Wind-up Eco Media Revolution Player
A wind-up media player might sound like a joke, but in fact it is a cutting edge eco-solution. The Eco Media Player Revolution combines the latest in media technology with the energy efficiency and power-on-the-go freedom of wind-up power. The Eco Media Player Revolution is powered by winding the integrated handle and offers 24-bit Hi Fidelity playback of all the major music formats including Apple AAC, Microsoft WMA, mp3, and OGG Vorbis. You can also watch video clips and movies, as the device supports formats such as MP4 and Windows WMV and it includes a stereo FM radio and built-in photo album and e-book reader. You can even use it to recharge your phone if you’re stuck without a charger – use the attached connectors and the Revolution’s hand-crank.
The Eco Media Player Revolution is the latest green solution from Trevor Baylis Brands. Trevor Baylis OBE is a former stuntman who, moved by the plight of AIDS victims in Africa, recognised that radio broadcasts could be a useful tool in promoting health education and halting the spread of the disease. Unfortunately, the need for batteries or electricity – everyday items we in the West take for granted – made radios too expensive for many people. Trevor’s solution was to develop a prototype wind-up radio. Initially met with universal rejection, the idea was brought to wider recognition via a showcase on the BBC programme Tomorrow’s World in 1994. The following year, BabyGen Power Industries was set up in South Africa, employing disabled workers to manufacture the groundbreaking Freeplay wind-up radio. In 1997, with the realisation that a wind-up radio could also be successfully sold to Western consumers increasingly looking for energy efficient products, a smaller and lighter model was developed. It was later updated to include a solar panel, making it an even more eco-friendly option.
Doing Business the Green Way
The environmental plight of the planet is a subject that has been brought to almost everyone’s attention. Indeed, it is now commonplace for plastic, glass, cardboard and other recyclable materials to be separated from the main household rubbish, whilst more homes than ever before have improved their heating efficiency in order to reduce waste. A number of households have even installed solar panels at home or have purchased their mains electricity from green renewable sources. In short, as a result of endless public awareness campaigns, people have begun to do their bit for the environment. Of course, whether this is sufficient remains to be seen, as current estimates continue to predict that the Earth is heading towards an environmental crisis. Indeed, it may not be possible to prevent global warming worsening although, if it is, it is likely that greater efforts need to be made now. Therefore, whilst people continue to consider how they can improve their Eco-friendly activities in the domestic sphere, they should also pay attention to what can be achieved in the workplace.
In fact, businesses are known to produce some of the largest and most significant carbon footprints, so it is only right that steps are made to reverse this trend. In the UK, mechanisms such as the Green Grants Machine are in place to help businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. In fact, many grants are available for businesses of all sizes if they are able to install solar panels, improve recycling, purchase hybrid fleet vehicles and so on. Additionally, employees are urged to adopt the same standards in the workplace as they do at home in so far as recycling is concerned, which is commonly neglected during office hours. For more advice on how to make your business greener, there are a number of books available, such as The Green Guide for Businesses.
