This week sees the make or break Copenhagen Climate Conference kick off. But while Obama, Brown and co banter out emissions targets and work out whether we’ll make it out of the 21st century intact, remember you can do your bit. Here are ten gadgets that can make a difference, right now.
Sky+HD auto standby
Sating your appetite for new movies and the latest footy needn’t eat up energy. Sky+HD boxes all pack an auto standby feature, which see the satellite TV machine power down between 11pm and 4am if you’re not watching the box.
The Wattson Ecometer
If you’re serious about saving the planet, the Wattson Ecometer is a gadget must-have. It monitors engery use in your gaff, telling you just how much juice it takes to boil a kettle or leave your Xbox on overnight. You can even download your previous month’s energy activity onto the dedicated software.
Samsung Blue Earth
It might seem like a gimmick, but there’s nothing like cold hard facts to scare you into saving the planet. The Samsung Blue Earth does just that with info on how much CO2 you’ll save by leaving the car at home and, er, how many trees you’ll save by doing so. It even has a solar panel for charging.
TomTom GO X50 series with Eco-routing
TomTom’s mapping is peerless. And its top end GO X50 series even packs in green credentials. Its Eco-routing option lets you choose the most fuel-efficient path to your destination, saving you money and slinging less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at the same time..
Ecorio Android app
This free Android app is essentially a carbon footprint calculator, telling you how much energy you’re eating up on the move. Best of all though, it tells you how to cut your output and even lets you buy carbon offsets direct from your phone. Plus there’s a place to share tips with other users, so you can crowd source your latest green initiative. We’re sure there are some government types using this to fuel their latest “blue sky thinking” sessions.
Philips Eco FlatTV
The “Best in Show” winner at CES2008, the Philips Eco FlatTV measures the room ambient light, adjusting the backlight so you cut down on power. Fortunately, it doesn’t mean watching the likes of Life becomes a washed out experience. The pic’s just as good as a regular HDTV.
KIT Eco Charger for Nokia
Got a Nokia blower? Then this is a failsafe way to save power. Grab the KIT Eco Charger for £23, charge up your Finnish phone and it’ll automatically switch itself off once your blower has full power. Carphone Warehouse reckons it could save the UK £85 million a year, and it’ll help clear your conscience too.
Sony Ericsson Naite
With a 15 per cent lower carbon footprint than other Sony Ericsson phones, the Naite is also made from 50 per cent plastics and has a green calculator and a quiz about climate change. Sure it sounds naff, but it’s better for the environment than a top notch smartie, that’s for sure.
Solar Gorilla
Solar charger’s might seem silly at a time when it hasn’t stopped raining Blighty for two months. But the Solar Gorilla laptop charger will fill up your PC with power without sapping the main grid. It even works with iPods, the iPhone, sat navs and all major mobiles. At £139 it’s not cheap, but think of your future bills.
LG Pop solar charger
The LG Pop is the Korean’s answer to the Samsung Blue Earth and Sony Ericsson Naite. It has minimal packaging, but it’s the solar charger which catches our eye. Hook it up to the back and you’re onto a winner, with no need to plug it in.
