14 DAY TRIAL // The US Environmental Protection Agency decided to announce the winners of its earth-friendly contest which supported the birth and development of new and creative smartphones and web applications that combined a high level of utility with the respect for the environment and the wellbeing of 7 billion people who will experience the benefits of their breakthroughs.
Out of 38 contestants, EPA must have had a pretty hard time selecting the five fortunate winners.
The first awarded invention was the Light Bulb finder application, a genius idea which allows the owner of a common household to make its home more energy-efficient, by allowing them to select the light bulb which fit them the best, while pointing the savings implied by this operation. This application is available for iPhone, iPad touch, iPod and Android smartphone.
The runner-up was an application which most of the people would like to check out while they are planning a trip.
It allows them to select the perfect means of transportation, which will minimize their impact upon the environment. It is a web application which does not require download, being available at no costs at hootroot.com.
Students were also encouraged to show off their skills, and the most useful and eco-friendly project appeared to be EarthFriend, an application developed by a group of high-school students from North Carolina, which represents an educational game which increases the level of awareness regarding emerging environmental issue, such as climate change, pollution, while also offering green tips on how to display an earth-friendly conduct.
The runner-up for this category was the Environmental Justice Participatory Mapping. This green student project helps people visualize potential environmental hazards, while also providing significant information regarding the unregulated water sources and abandoned uranium mine features.
EPA decided that the CG Search deserves to remain in history of this contest as the Popular Choice App. The mobile Green IT application captured the judge's attention after it proved it can be useful foe all the American users who want to compare air quality levels while acknowledging the presence of air pollution. While planning a short trip, the individuals will be able to know which cities put their lungs at risk.
The judges evaluated all the 38 apps for the environment, making sure that the awarded ones will have the potential to help communities make informed decisions about the environment, while offering an innovative point of view. Usefulness, innovativeness and usability have been the main criteria of selection.