Well, this bit might have just caught the attention of the international eco-lovers; but the truth is that Indians have been enjoying the benefits of a human-powered ferris wheel for a long time.

The video of the same on YouTube is the reason for the sudden hohullah! They are calling a zero-emissions ride that is great for the environment and for a few laughs. Without using a generator, this giant wheel is put into action by a team of zealous men who climb up one by one and turn the wheel so that it keeps on spinning, and everyone else can have a joyride! As a result, this ride does not send across harmful gases into the atmosphere.

By the by, I’m sure you will be surprised to know but this is no new thing in India. Only that it involves a large ferris wheel. Yep, the small-town carnivals of yore and even now always have a small-sized ferris wheel meant for children which is run by a man single-handedly!

Indeed, a bright green idea.

Via TreeHugger

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Cow power could emerge as one of the green and renewable energy sources to generate electricity in future. Till now the manure produced by bovine and livestock animals has been used in farms only (that too to a certain extent). But now, it can be used to generate electricity which might meet upto 3 % energy (read electricity) consumption needs of entire North America!

The research being conducted by scientists at University of Texas (Austin) believe the results of it will imply on all countries with a large number of livestock (including India). Production of biogas from cow dung is not a new thing and it has been used in rural India to cook food and for other heating purposes. But this research stresses upon the anaerobic digestion (a process which helps in compost formation) of manure which yields energy-rich bio-gas potent enough to generate electricity by rotating standard microturbines.

In recent times, the interest and efforts in analyzing and using cow waste for studying its effect on climate change, has seen an upward trend. The IPCC reports that nitrous oxide and methane (both are Green House Gases) produced by naturally decomposing livestock manure heat up our atmosphere many times more than what CO2 does! Hence, the panel recommends proper utilization of this livestock manure. The latter if utilized� fully could generate approximately 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity (a scenario where the Americans will thank cows profusely for providing resources beyond milk and meat!)

Concerns are raised over the carbon emissions thus procuded by burning of biogas but scientists reassure that, when compared to burning fossil fuels (read coal), burning of biogas leaves a much smaller carbon footprint! Here’s what the scientists- Dr. Michael E. Webber and Amanda D Cuellar, from University of Texas has to say over this: “In light of the criticism that has been leveled against biofuels, biogas production from manure has the less-controversial benefit of reusing an existing waste source and has the potential to improve the environment.”

I’m waiting for the day when bulbs will be lighted by burning of biogas for the latter promises to be an environmentally advantageous and economical energy resource. Hail Cow Power!

Via: sciencedaily