Becka Johnson's Page

I imagine that I will be growing my own vegetables in planter boxes either outside my window or in my yard (if I'm lucky enough to have one). If I am living in California at that time, I will be able to grow some berries or fruits (space permitting). The grains and protein for my meals will come from local farmers and farmers markets in the area. Eating locally and organically (and maybe even vegetarian!) will hopefully become the status quo throughout the USA since it supports the local… Continue

Innovative Water Technologies (IWT) caught my attention partly due to their creative filtration system and partly because of their endorsement by the Clinton Foundation and the "Rethinking Water" Foundation.



Both foundations have employed IWT's technology to help with the crisis in Haiti.



http://www.innovativeh2o.com/HaitiToday/haitiToday.htm…



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You may have heard of the hand-cranked laptop pioneered by MIT's Nicholas Negroponte for "One Laptop Per Child," seen here:



http://wiki.laptop.org/go/One_Laptop_per_Child



This innovation has always impressed me. You don't need a manual to know how to use it; it's not dependent on sunlight, outlets, or anything beyond your own ability to turn a crank. One minute of cranking provides ten minutes of use. While this may… Continue

In psychology we find that people are naturally resistant to change. We

tend to appreciate routine and are attracted to the familiar. If we can

find innovative solutions built on practical techniques and familiar

strategies, the public is more likely to embrace these solutions and

benefit from them. Stick with what people know.



For example, if you are trying to provide water-management solutions

for a farming community, the community if more likely to respond… Continue