TOP 10

After traveling to different countries and looking at their ideas, services and innovations. It gets me thinking of how these little and big ideas can affect our lives and our habitat. From a bottle of coke which will change to ice to cool us down in the Summer heat, to switching off our lights for an hour to support Global Warming. These ideas can make our lives easier and better. Going through the different ideas and innovations, I've put together a list of the Top 10 ideas I've found, researched and analyzed. I hope this list can go on and encourage people from the countries who haven't yet have these ideas to take on them, as I believe they can only make our lives for the better.

1. Earth Hour

2. Children Museums

3. Exhibits involving the public

4. Multilingual Signs for the London 2012

5. Womens only Carriage

6. No eating or drinking in Tube

7. Innovative products/Extended Food Menus

8. Vending machines

9. Themed Restaurants

10. Tube Tunes

Earth Hour

The most talked about global issue in recent years has to be the effect of Global Warming among us. It is something which we really should be concerned about and learn about it. With films like 'The 11th Hour' and 'The Day after tomorrow', they educate and show us what will happen if we keep doing harmful things to our planet. Many countries have started campaigns, actions and to be more globally aware, some examples would be 'No Straw Day' as mentioned in a previous post, 'No Plastic Bag' and evena new scheme in Ghent, Belgium, where they are going vegetarian for one day a week.

On the 31st of March, 2007. Sydney was city who started the Campaign as 2.2 million people in the city turned off the lights. This simple action caught the attention of the world and in 2008, the whole campaign went global. And now in 2009, more than 3,943 cities from 88 countries have signed up. In addition, a great number of iconic buildings will be plunged into darkness, including Nelson's Column, the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House.

The WWF's Earth Hour became a massive global phenomenon, which sent a dramatic visual signal to world leaders that they myst take urgent action on climate change.

However, why only once per year? Why not make it once every month? every week? every day? I'm sure theres many implications of why it can't happen more regularly, but step aside from the campaign? Why can't we do our own part? maybe choosing a time more suitable to us, and participate in this action whenever, but more frequently.

Earth Hour is only a start to tackle Global Warming, as we should continue this action by changing our habits every day, save energy, save water and of course recycle.

"It is totally indiscriminate of race, culture and religion. It affects every human being on the planet. Earth Hour is an opportunity for every man, woman and child from all corners of the globe to come together with a united voice and make a loud and powerful statement on the issue of climate change. If we all perform this one
simple act together, it will send a message to our governments too powerful for them to ignore. They will know the eyes of the world are watching."

More info at:

http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/aboutearthhour/

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/science/2009/03/one-billion-to-switch-off-ligh.html

Please Touch!

From the same website, I've discovered an article about Children's museums. It is interesting to know that it is among the fastest growing cultural institutions in the United States. Back in 1975, there were only around 38 children's museums. By now, there are almost 400 institutions dotted around the country.

So why has it become so successful and popular? The reason is that it is unique and fills up a niche market in communities. These museums provide a safe and enriching environment for families, who can play and learn at the same time. In the US, children's museums have become family favourite destinations that have support of local community leaders, teachers and parents who supports the power of learning through play.

I've been working in an indoor children's activity centre for around three years, and it is great to see parents and children interact with each other using all the equipments and activities provided by the centre. However, if it introduces the idea of learning through playing, then it would be a more enriching experience for both the children and parents. For example, the last time I've visited the Science Museum in London. They have an area dedicated to this function where children and parents can explore and experiment together to gain knowledge on different aspects of the Science field.

I believe the learning from a young age is very important to the growth of a child, by applying this strategy and practice. It would improve the quality of live and boost their confidence. This practice is not something this country is not doing, but there should be more and have more museums which is solely designed for this function.

More info at:

http://culturalinnovations.com/views02.html

http://www.childrensmuseums.org/index.htm

Involving visitors in exhibit creation

Stepping away from the services and innovations from Hong Kong and Japan. I came across this idea from www.culturalinnovations.com. It talks about how museums and exhibits are beginning to adapt a new way in their format, which is encouraging the public to exhibit and even to design their own exhibits and then work with the museum from the basic draft to the final outcome of the exhibit.

For example, the Brooklyn Museum and Minnesota History Centre from the States have recently hosted public exhibitions which only consists of stories, objects and photos which were submitted by the general public. This simple idea of involving visitors is crucial as it truly engages the visitors, reflect their interests and the way they live.

As London consists of many museums and exhibits running 365 days of the year, it would be very interesting to involve the diverse cultural community to submit, design and work with organizations to create what they want to see and do within these exhibits.

Sometimes when we look at a particular piece of artwork, we always say: 'I can do that.' If more and more museums and exhibits re encouraging the public to participate, I'm sure one of us can be the next Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock.

Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes - Andy Warhol

More info at:

http://culturalinnovations.com/views03.html

Womens only carriage

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Dessert sucking

Another great product I found within one of thousands of convenience stores dotted around Tokyo. Ice Cream in a sachet, where you have to suck to get it out. It doesn't come out liquid, but very very soft ice cream, very delicious indeed.

Why don't UK import something like these little great things?