Join the Movement: How a Recent Fair in Washington D.C. is Inspiring Change

The fight against climate change has never been more urgent, and we are constantly looking for new and innovative solutions to live greener. At a fair this past weekend in Washington D.C., nonprofits were brought together to share climate-friendly technologies. An article from the Washington Post highlights the fair, detailing the technologies that were at the event. 

Among these were:  

• Heat pump dryers and water heaters
• Electric bicycles and scooters
• Induction stoves

Each of these technologies provides more climate-friendly solutions to their alternatives. Let’s go through them:

Heat pumps: These use a refrigerant to warm a dryer or water heater using heat from the air or in the ground. Heat pumps work like an air conditioner but in reverse. This is a good alternative compared to gas furnaces and other appliances that use natural gas. 

Electric bikes and scooters: These innovations encourage using electric means over gas, as opposed to gas-powered transportation methods. 

Induction stoves: These work by using a copper coil and electromagnetic energy to produce heat. Induction stoves are three times more efficient than their alternative – gas stoves.

Beyond the innovations, the fair itself was successful. Companies such as Electrify D.C., Mitsubishi Electric, and other nonprofits, contractors, manufacturers, and local government groups gathered to create this event. Parts of the fair were set up like a house with a kitchen, garage, and laundry space to demonstrate these technologies. They also had a petting zoo, where instead of petting animals, visitors could pet a variety of heat pumps while learning which one would be best for their home. This unique event must have required extensive planning, and because it garnered lots of visitors and media attention, the event succeeded in doing PR– that is, persuading people to change their attitudes and behaviors when it comes to incorporating greener solutions into their lives. 

While the event was only in Washington D.C., I encourage you to consider adopting these technologies into your homes and lifestyles if you’re able to do so. By making these simple switches, we can slowly work towards a unified climate-friendly society. If you do not have the means to make these changes in your life right now, I ask you to encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to make these simple changes. This event was the perfect example of our society moving in the right direction in the fight against climate change, and we can all participate in that fight.