Time once again for one of my favorite days of the month. A day for promoting positive news via We Are the World Blogfest. It delights me to participate as an agent of pronoia along with dozens of other ambassadors highlighting feel-good news stories for us all to celebrate.
This month’s coshosts are Shilpa Garg, Sylvia McGrath, Mary Giese, Belinda Witzenhausen and Guilie Castillo. Do check out all the other bloggers participating as well, and you’re welcome to join yourself – all the details are here.
Today I want to bring your attention to Daan Roosegaarde, a Dutch artist who develops projects that merge technology and art in urban environments. I’m crazy fond of projects that collaboratively cross boundaries – it’s like doubling the magic. I particularly like art environmental projects.
Last year the World Health Organization reported that ”more than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limits. While all regions of the world are affected, populations in low-income cities are the most impacted. According to the latest urban air quality database, 98% of cities in low- and middle income countries with more than 100,000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality guidelines. However, in high-income countries, that percentage decreases to 56%.” I have to say those statistics are appalling, and should have us all jumping on the proverbial bandwagon working on figuring out solutions.
Daan Roosegaarde has come up with one, a smog vaccum cleaner. In this TED talk he reports about it, along with some of his other projects. And in this written interview he speaks more exclusively about the smog project.
In these times it seems like increasing clarity in needed in so many areas, but certainly the very air we (and all creatures on our beautiful planet) breathe is of paramount importance. Here’s to celebrating innovative ideas.
I agree about collaboratively crossing boundaries doubles the magic…at the very least!
I like your attitude Suzanne – let’s go for an exponential increase!
Hi Deborah – I read the interview … and noted at the end:
“I’ve (Dan Roosegarde) been thinking of Marshall McLuhan in the past few weeks. In Vancouver, I gave a TED talk, and quoted McLuhan who said “On spacecraft Earth there are no passengers; we are all crew.” We’re makers; we’re not just consumers.”
Fascinating and thanks so much for bringing Dan Roosegarde to my attention … now I’ll remember and see what else he’s doing …
I agree with you and Susanne – it’s so essential to know and understand more about all sorts of things – stretch ourselves and accept we need to learn and appreciate so much – brilliant WAWTB post … cheers (mine goes up on Monday) – Hilary
PS Marshall McLuhan is a Canadian professor, philosopher and intellectual – he died in 1980. … interesting links here too …
I’ve really been thinking about that McLuhan quote as well Hilary. That simple shift, reframing our understanding that we are all part of the crew is very important. It’s both empowering AND demands we accept responsibility for our actions.
I’ll be looking forward to your post Hilary – I just love #WATWB!
I read the written interview Deborah – imagine, the idea of smog free popping up from when he was a boy and remembering balloons at the parties he attended! It is so sad that so many of the poor are badly affected by pollution of inner cities. We all have a G.d given right to fresh and smog free air. His idea is wonderfully innovative! Suck it up – with a smog vacuum cleaner! Use bicycles to do this too! Even walkers! Anybody really – on the fenders of our cars … thank you for sharing this. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
(well, I’m copying and pasting my comment – and hope it works this time. Hope you managed to get that captcha story sorted Deborah -).
It’s always fascinating to hear the background of what inspires an idea isn’t it? I love the idea of this innovation – we need to be doing everything we can to move toward less pollution and better air quality. And clearly we need many hands and muses on deck, particularly since my government is determined to move us backwards.
I really appreciate you’re coming back and posting again Susan. The commenting issue proved to be a nightmare, but my fabulous website person has worked her magic again, and I’m so grateful.
Oh my…I am from The Netherlands (living in Germany now) and never heard of him.
Thanks for bringing awareness to him and his wonderful project!
Definitely, going to explore that more.
XxX
How fun to have him on your radar now Patty – I think we’ll continue to hear lots about what he and his group are up to.
A great initiative to – literally – clean up our world.
Indeed! Thanks for stopping by Simon, and I look forward to this month’s WATWB goodness.
I much prefer the idea of coming up with solutions for problems rather than just continuing to point fingers of blame. A spotlight must be put on legitimate problems to call attention to them, but after that if no action is taken to provide a fix then the complaining is merely feckless prattle.
Lee
Tossing It Out
I’m not entirely sure what you’re saying Arlee. I certainly agree that when we become aware of problems we need to address them. With the issue of pollution and global warming the vast majority of people understand the issue, and yet our government(s) and those with vested monetary interests continue to act as if the Earth and all its resources and inhabitants are theirs for exploiting. I don’t think it’s feckless prattle to continue to shine the spotlight on what needs to be addressed, especially since we haven’t come up with wide-spread solutions that work yet. I think our hope lies with the younger members of our society who are willing to approach things differently, and if we don’t continue to point out what needs their creative minds, passion, and commitment they may themselves not understand the need.