This week, I took several steps to reduce my carbon footprint in the world. As some will already know though we've lived in London for bordering on three years, we do not own a car! Instead in addition to being an avid public transport user (though its not workable for my routes to and from work - as i need to drop the kids off at school) I use a pair of car services Ecoigo and Green Tomato to get from place to place. While it's slightly more than a car payment, when you add parking, congestion charge, gas, insurance and the value of the extra reading/phone time for me in the back, it's pretty much a wash in cost. More importantly, I have an incredibly low carbon footprint due to the use of a shared vehicle, which also, as a hybrid or electric has an even lower carbon/pollution index.
However, it's time to buy a car, mostly as the wife and kids want to begin exploring the countryside, and additional parts of Great Britain we've not seen, particularly the north and west (Wales). So the quest for a car begins. The 1st thing we did was put ourselves on the waiting list (secured place and everything) for a new Tesla S-series (I got to drive a Roadster back pre-release when we made Who Killed the Electric Car? However, the Tesla, even if we manage to get an early one, won't be available until at least 2010. So we need a car short-term (given that Tavin and I are about to become certified, licensed, UK drivers (my test is next week!). I'd prefer an electric, but just don't fit in a Nice or mini (at 6'2" it just won't work) I'd like to buy a Tesla Roadster, but the wife, kindly pointed out it wasnt' very practical for the kids. So we are still negotiating - any ideas welcome!
Lastly, A few weeks ago when I was at 3GSMA I stumbled upon a fascinating booth. The Solio is a combination solar charger and shared battery pack (similar to the Tumi Powerpack) but with power cells. Now frankly Solar chargers for phones/ipods/(or in those days walkmen) aren't exactly new - I had something similar from an Early Winters catalog in my teens. But the difference with this one is that it REALLY works.
I've used it on walks in the heath, or o days when I forget to charge my Blackberry/Iphone/iPod and find it indespensible. With my upcoming surf-adventure, I'm keen to use it in bright sunshine and see if my crackberry habit can lower its carbon footprint. More on that in the future.
Lastly, I'm giving a speach at a sold out session at the RSA on the future and mobile; topics I particularly love.
Originally posted on rxdxt.vox.com