‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’ is a book that tells the story of William Kamkwamba, a 14-year-old Malawian boy who despite having no money, no materials, very little education, and no guidance or help, managed to cobble together an operating windmill to power some light bulbs, charge cell phones, and operate a village water pump. Eventually, Kamkwamba got into school, but not before he was chastised for sneaking INTO classes.
In the light of the credit crunch and environmental challenges, Kamkwamba’s story is one that inspires, that reminds us how much we have, and how much we can accomplish even in the face of tremendous adversity.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- DIY Energy Generation
- DIY energy generation trend will provide opportunities for consumers to reduce their dependence on traditional energy sources by creating their own power such as wind energy and solar power
- Upcycling for Renewable Energy
- Upcycling for renewable energy trend will create opportunities for companies to utilize waste materials in renewable energy production
- Innovative Non-profit Energy Initiatives
- Innovative non-profit energy initiatives trend will offer opportunities for organizations to provide affordable, sustainable energy solutions to developing communities
Where This Applies
- Renewable Energy
- Renewable energy industry can capitalize on this trend by creating innovative, DIY energy generation products to meet the demands of consumers
- Waste Management
- Waste management industry can explore opportunities to collaborate with renewable energy companies and use upcycled waste materials to produce energy
- Non-profit
- Non-profit industry can leverage this trend by developing and implementing innovative, affordable energy solutions that can help improve the livelihoods of people in developing communities
