Sustainability has often been defined as how natural systems survive while remaining diverse and dynamic. The 21st-century meaning goes far beyond these thin qualifications. Nowadays it relates to the need to create sustainable models to ensure the prosperous survival of Planet Earth and the humans and wildlife that inhabit it. Scroll through this awesome catalog of groundbreaking innovations in sustainability happening right now or coming soon to a Planet Earth near you!
1. HomeBiogas
HomeBiogas tackles the issue of food waste while ensuring sustainability within the home. This innovation helps you to save six tons of CO2 a year while you cook with your homemade renewable energy and nourish your garden with fresh fertilizer! With this easy-to-use system, you can take your kitchen scraps, animal manure, and yes… even human waste and convert it into cooking biogas and liquid fertilizer! Visit their site to check it out and learn more: How it works – Homebiogas
See HomeBiogas In Action: Israeli clean-living tech reaches Latin American locales
2. ASTERRA Recover
ASTERRA Recover, developed by the Israeli company Utilis, uses satellite technology to conserve water by identifying underground leaks. Utilis wins American Water Works’ first Innovation Award for its mission to improve water conservation. With this product, systems for drinking water and wastewater can be analyzed all at once on a grand scale. Compared to current technologies being used, ASTERRA Recover is a game-changer for cities and other industrial entities. The satellite can identify leaks not otherwise seen by previous technology and has been found to be super-efficient.
3. Vanilla Vida
Vanilla as a product is frequently used, but rarely studied. Oren Zilberman, CEO of the Israeli startup Vanilla Vida, views this largely unstudied area as a chance for industry growth. Vanilla Vida leverages technology at each step of the vanilla-making process, creating innovation across the entire industry. The advanced tech and metabolic solutions improve flavor and create a more stable supply chain in this time of climate change. Vanilla Vida grows beans in Yesod HaMaala in a climate-controlled, pesticide-free greenhouse. “Our vision is to make Israel the largest player in the industry and build a new economic engine in agriculture,” Zilberman says.
See Vanilla Vida In Action: Israeli Grown Vanilla is About to Disrupt the Industry
4. Textiles are for more than just clothes
Ganit Goldstein’s experimental embedded electronics and VR applications are additions to textiles that help make them more sustainable. By using this technology, she is helping to make sure the fashion industry is more sustainable. In a world of fast fashion a crisis is unfolding as more and more pieces of clothing clo landfills. She believes that textiles can be more than just clothing. Goldstein sees a huge potential for collaborations for textiles. She has been exposed to tons of damage to the environment due to fast fashion and is hoping to spearhead a change and reduce waste in the fashion market.
See Ganit’s Work In Action: Textiles that React to Body Gestures and Glow in the Dark
5. Ribeyes From a Lab
The esteemed American actor and environmentalist, Leonardo DiCaprio, has invested in Aleph Farms, based out of Rehovot. Aleph Farms has been able to cultivate steaks and ribeyes by utilizing biotechnical engineering on cow cells rather than slaughtering cows. DiCaprio has said, “One of the most impactful ways to combat the climate crisis is to transform our food system.” Cultivated meat production, like at Aleph Farms, can significantly reduce air pollution and save immense resources otherwise used for cultivating livestock.
Read More about Aleph Farms and Leonardo DiCaprio here: Leonardo DiCaprio invests in Israeli cultivated meat pioneer
6. Electric Vehicle Battery that Could Fit in Your Backpack
EVR Motors has announced its newest electric vehicle (EV) battery design and plans to release production-ready motors in late 2021. The new motor design is much smaller (about the size of a smartphone!), lightweight, and will provide for lower costs and greater manufacturer flexibility. The battery will be compatible with all types of hybrid or fully electric vehicles and can handle voltage ranging from 48-800 volts for a supercharge. EVR is still conducting testing at their facilities in Israel to determine which variation works best.
Check out this crazy small car battery: Israeli electric car motor is the size of a smartphone
7. Noa Sharon Creates Sustainable Jewelry from Repurposed Gold
Fashion around the world has undergone a huge push towards sustainability. Fashion designers have taken the position “nothing goes to waste.” This applies to small start-ups and large corporations that create clothing; extra scraps can go towards new designs. One wedding designer has adopted this exact logic and has begun selling jewelry and accessories made entirely of upcycled materials. These items have been generating popularity across many different segments of the market. These pieces of jewelry are still beautiful and wear well, the only difference is they are being made in a more sustainable process. If more brands adopted strategies such as this one, we would be able to see positive improvements within our society. Overall, this article brings up many interesting and new ideas in terms of sustainability initiatives.
8. The Green Apprenticeship
The Green Apprenticeship Program brings in all different types of people to help aid in a sustainable mud-building program. A group of strangers came together to work on this sustainable mission on a kibbutz in Israel. They learned the fundamentals of building and farming along with nature’s ecosystems. This experience taught the individuals different methods of sustainable living that they had never considered before. They also learned how unsustainable practices, in farming specifically, are harming the planet every day. Many of the 700 members have said this has made their lives much more sustainable. Being a part of this program has also given a lot of the member’s confidence to speak out in order to protect the environment. They also learn about sustainability initiatives such as sustainable agriculture, natural building, renewable energy, and many more. The members of this community should serve as a model to many other communities so that more individuals can lead sustainable lives and create a cleaner and healthier world for all both now and in the future.
9. TurboGen Microturbines
Imagine a world where buildings and cars can create their own energy. New technology makes this dream possible. A company called TurboGen has created microturbines after receiving grants from the Israel Innovation Authority. Microturbines convert hot air into electricity for energy that can power cars and refrigerators, and heat or cool water. This technology could lower heating and electricity costs, as well as lead to electric cars that are more environmentally friendly. Beth-El Industries at Zichron Ya’akov mass produces microturbines, TurboGen says installation could begin in the second half of 2021.
Take a peek at what the future looks like: Welcome to a new world where buildings can create their own energy
10. N-Drip Irrigation Systems
A new type of irrigation system is taking over the world! Used in North America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East… N-Drip is capable of growing any vegetation or plant. N-Drip saves money and resources because it is a drip irrigation system, but it is propelled only by gravity. It is a positive alternative to flood irrigation, where most water is not used by the plants, and eventually evaporates. N-Drip cuts water usage by at least half while increasing crop yields. N-Drip lines and drippers are currently produced in northern Israel, in Migdal HaEmek. Water scarcity is an ongoing issue, but N-Drip irrigation systems make it more affordable and efficient for farmers and plants alike.
See N-Drip Irrigation in Action: Gravity watering system saves resources and raises yields
A sustainable future can be found in all industries. Between fashion, cooking, automotive, and more, Israel is producing some of the newest, innovative, solutions to problems facing the globe. Read more on these solutions by visiting the websites linked through the article and together we can work to save the planet!
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Benjamin Klein is a student at Binghamton University studying Business Administration. Find him on LinkedIn here.
Alexa Gamburg is a student at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Find her on LinkedIn here.
Alison Comite is a student at the University of Pennsylvania. Find her on LinkedIn here.
Zachary Gold is a student at Colgate University. Find him on LinkedIn here.
Abby Adelman is a student at Indiana University. Find her on LinkedIn here.
Catelyn Reiter is a student at Indiana University. Find her on LinkedIn here.
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