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How Earth Day Changed Inventing

One single day of the year is not enough to elicit any real change, so why give up on the ideas of Earth Day now that it's over? We at InventHelp® predict that many future inventions will be designed to impact the environment as little as possible. Taking it a step further, we're looking forward to seeing the inventions that work to actually improve the environment. InventHelp hopes the spirit of Earth Day continues, so here are the latest green developments and tips on what you can do to lessen your carbon footprint.

In the past few years, we at InventHelp certainly have noticed a trend in greener inventions. Here are some notable examples:

1. Bamboo Clothing. Bamboo is one of the world's most abundant and fastest-growing plants, and requires no pesticides or chemicals for growth. It's also incredibly strong and even softer than cotton. It's no wonder that resourceful inventors have learned to craft comfortable, fashionable T-shirts, skirts and more from this wonderplant.
2. Fuel Cell-Powered Laptop. Major innovators like IBM, Panasonic and Sanyo already have prototypes of this longer-lasting power source. The cell is powered by the electrochemical process in the breakdown of methanol fuel. With this invention, you top off your laptop battery with fuel from a cartridge. It's kind of like your car's fuel tank – but it won't cost you an arm and a leg.
3. InventHelp clients are green! For example, one of our clients recently invented AbsorbEase. This product absorbs grease from frying pans into disposable pads that can be tossed in the garbage. This prevents clogging drains and stops grease from entering the water supply. It also eliminates the need to pour grease outdoors, which can damage plants and wildlife.

The invention of Earth Day itself marks the birth of the modern environmental movement. At a 1969 conference in Seattle, Wash., U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin promised that there would be a nationwide environmental event the following spring. His actions propelled what was a loose, grassroots movement onto the national agenda.

At the time, nearly all Americans drove gas-guzzling V8s and industry pumped pollution into the air and rivers with no accountability. Much like inventors, these early activists saw a problem and knew they needed a solution. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans staged demonstrations in streets and parks across the country to demand change. Laws such as the Clear Air Act and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency followed in the wake of this very first Earth Day.

Now, 38 years later, Earth Day has evolved from a grassroots movement to a major political and corporate event. An EPA program recommending the switch to high-efficiency appliances was supported by Best Buy, Amazon.com and Subway, just to name a few. Despite its glitzier façade, Earth Day still brought an estimated 1 billion people worldwide together to focus attention on human-generated climate change and the policies around it.

Even though Earth Day is officially over, there's never been a better time to get a head start on next year! There are plenty of Earth-friendly things you can do every day (and save a few bucks in the process).

• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth. Not only will you conserve water, you'll save cash on your water bills.
• Replace the light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent light bulbs. These nifty inventions use just a fraction of the energy of regular light bulbs. And, again, those energy-savings go right into your pocket.
• Think MPG. If you're in the market for a new vehicle, make gas mileage a factor in your decision. Better yet, test drive one of the best automotive inventions in recent history: a hybrid. Hybrid sales are through the roof, and for good reason. They use less fuel and cause less pollution, and most hybrid owners will agree that these benefits offset the higher sticker price.
• Go paperless. Subscribing to InventHelp's e-Newsletter is a good start! Also, the invention of electronic bill pay was a great green advancement – call your utility and credit card companies to find out how to stop receiving a paper bill.

True to its name, Earth Day has gone global, and the effects touch everything from lawmaking to innovation. As Earth Day traditions grow, we at InventHelp are excited to see what new ideas are generated by forward-thinking innovators. Today, being environmentally friendly isn't just for barefoot hippies and college professors – it's a collective effort comprised of innovators, entrepreneurs and inventors from all walks of life. And even though it's a full year away, the InventHelp Family looks forward to seeing what innovations we have to highlight for Earth Day 2009!

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