A traditional way to manage extreme temperatures
As India grapples with longer, more frequent and more severe heat waves, access to cooling or even refrigerators is out of reach for millions. In New Delhi, many families depend on pot – A traditional clay pot that uses evaporation to keep water cool. This is an economical option for homes without a refrigerator.
The same age-old principle is now inspiring modern solutions like Coolant, a terracotta-based cooling system that lowers the air temperature in interior spaces using water and natural air flow. Proponents say such low-cost, energy-efficient technologies could help vulnerable communities adapt while reducing reliance on air conditioning.
Home medical tests that don’t hurt animals
A German start-up has developed the world’s first pregnancy test made without antibodies from animals such as rabbits or rats, with the test using marine microalgae.
The EU-certified product is on sale from 2025. Its founders hope the technology will make clinical trials more sustainable while helping to reduce the use of animals in medical research.
Manufacture from discarded plastic and glass
In northeastern Mozambique, a project called Yopipila – meaning “green” in the local Imacuá language – is helping youth turn waste into opportunity. Supported by the Hakuna Matata Foundation, participants in Cabo Delgado learned eco-friendly techniques of building community facilities from discarded plastic and glass bottles, bamboo, clay and recycled tires.
The training promotes sustainable manufacturing while creating skills and green income opportunities in an area with limited jobs and little recycling infrastructure. For many participants, the project offers both an environmental solution and a path to a more secure future.
Edited by: Anke Rasper