The Seven Sustainable Wonders of the World

[NeoGreen]

https://www.treehugger.com/culture/seven-sustainable-wonders-world.html

The Seven Sustainable Wonders of the World
Katherine Martinko: June 23, 2017

Humans should be proud of these inventions, for they enable us to live gently and efficiently on Earth.

Way back in 1999, American scientist and writer Donella Meadows wrote a wonderful article titled “The Seven-Plus Sustainable Wonders of the World.” In it, she described some of the most basic yet revolutionary technologies that allow humans to live gently on Earth. The original concept comes from a book by Alan Durning, director of Seattle’s Northwest Environment Watch.

Now, nearly two decades later, the list is being expanded further by the Story of Stuff project, which posted it on Facebook (where I first saw it), asking readers to weigh in on yet more sustainable wonders of the world.

So, what’s on the list?

The bicycle – because it’s the most efficient form of transportation ever invented and can be afforded by 80 percent of the world’s population, whereas only 10 percent can afford a car (as of 1999).

The clothesline – because it runs on solar energy and is even more affordable than a bicycle.

The ceiling fan – because it requires very little energy to cool a room significantly. “A fan makes a space feel 9 degrees F. cooler than it really is. A typical ceiling fan draws no more than 75 watts, about as much as a single incandescent light bulb, only one-tenth as much as an air conditioner.”