At the forefront of our discussions in class is the need for innovative thinking to create large-scale change. New technologies and changes within the procurement process will allow companies to provide their goods to market more efficiently in terms of both their bottom line and their sustainability efforts. You’d be hard pressed to find someone to disagree that innovation is not a necessary factor in creating positive sustainable change. But hasn’t innovation ever led us astray?
If we look at freight shipping on the high seas, it is in clear need of innovation. In fact, shipping is responsible for 3.5% to 4% of all climate change emissions. The last major innovation in shipping was the use of diesel power, and before that it was steam power. These innovations have pushed us to our breaking point, and for this reason, governmental sanctions are being developed and implemented to curb the emissions they have caused. Until recently, shipping innovation has been devoid of sustainable benefits. So to move forward, we might just have to go back in time.
Several new designs of cargo freighters have brought back the sail in hopes that wind power will cut fuel usage. These new hybrid ships have metal sails and computer algorithms to take advantage of wind power at optimal angles. One design from the University of Tokyo promises to cut fuel usage by 30%.
If innovation in the shipping industry today involves what many believe to be antiquated technology, the sail, should we look in to the past for more of our answers to questions of sustainability? It’s a novel concept but what if other discarded technologies can be updated and innovative when combined with new computer technology. Innovative thinking is hard to come by. If anything, studying ancient farming techniques, or what have you, will spark the innovation we’re all so mad about.
Check out these articles to find out more about the different ways that sails are making a comeback:
Hey Connor,
It was a really interesting perspective regarding the past. I think that people often look for efficiency and what the future holds. Technology has driven our society to climate change, and yet, people are always looking towards the next big thing. Hopefully the next big thing can be environmental innovations.
The only issue with the sail is that it makes transportation slower. Do you think that consumers will be forgiving to companies that chose to use the sail? I think that the sail would be great for transporting resources. Supply chain will have to work harder to ensure correct timing.
Interesting read, I knew you’d have cool things to share!
With all the talks of hybrid cars for consumer usage, it’s interesting to learn of hybrid boats and ships for businesses. Although the idea is indeed innovative and learning from our pasts is at the same time a counter-intuitive AND intuitive method of innovation, the reason freight shipping by sea has lost favour over the decades is because it is slow, and in business, time is money. I agree that with advances in technology, it is possible to improve water travel. So if humankind can find a way to accurately control ocean winds and currents while using new and sustainable technology to power improved fleets, not further polluting ocean waters with increased shipping by sea, and maintaining time-efficient logistics, this idea will be embraced sooner than later by powerful businesses.
I love the idea of re-exploring our out-dated innovations with modern technology in mind. While slightly less sophisticated than these massive sail systems, the farming method of aquaponics comes up for me. Aquaponics capitalizes on the symbiotic relationship between aquaculture (fish primarily) and vegetation. For aquaculture to be sustained there needs to be ample turnover of fresh water to cycle out the waste. This waste can be cycled through and used as fertilizers for vegetation, leaving fresh water to be driven back to the aquaculture. By use of basic electronic pumps, this whole system can become highly fruitful. I think I may write a blog on this so stay tuned!
Great start to your sustainability blog, Connor. Simplicity is a common theme in this area of study, with many designers focused on finding the simplest of solutions (since they are often the most efficient, the least resource-intensive, and the most similar to Nature’s solutions).
Keep up the good work.
Tamar