New devices for an 'appy' environment

A recent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiative has generated multiple 'app' applications under the remit of 'protecting human health and the environment'.

Set with the challenge of creating an application technology tool to combat environmental priorities of the future, private sector software developers and students submitted 38 apps to the agency that ranged in focus and design.

The first place prize went to Light Bulb Finder, which is an application used to weigh the benefits of switching from incandescent to energy-efficient light bulbs. It evaluates the lighting needs of the users with the financial and environmental impacts of their choice in bulb. Using zip code data, it calculates carbon dioxide emission reductions for each light bulb replaced, taking into account the mix of fossil fuel and nuclear power used to produce electricity for a given location.

Runner-up apps included an interactive route planner called Hootroot, that weighs up the greenest routes between US destinations. The app showed the time taken to complete the journey as well as the carbon emissions produced by different modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, catching the train, driving or flying. 

Other commendable apps included the CGSearch app, which allows users to compare EPA’s Air Quality Index, air pollution levels, and energy consumption of various U.S. cities with those of Atlanta. Student entry EarthFriend was also popular, which provides interactive educational games.