The world today is an exciting place to be. Billions of people are being connected across the world through technology. Technology is allowing people to learn, comment and communicate like never before.

The question is: are we using the technology to the best of our ability? Are we creating and developing the correct tools, relationships and patterns to better benefit ourselves and the world we live in? As we know, our environment is being filled with manmade carbon dioxide and we, as a global village, do not seem to be able to come up with a viable solution to solve this problem. Are we using technology to our advantage here?

William Kamkwamba is a person who has embraced technology and harnessed its power for good and the advantage of himself, his family and community. At age 14, William from Malawi built a windmill from scrap metal to power his family’s home. He built the 5 metre windmill using a broken bicycle, tractor fan blade, an old shock absorber and blue gum trees. He connected the windmill to an old car battery for storage and was able to power four light bulbs and charge neighbours mobile phones. Subsequent projects have seen William develop clean water programs, malaria prevention, solar power and lighting systems, a deep water well with a solar powered pump for clean water and a drip irrigation system.

How can we better use technology on every level to improve our lives and to improve our environment? Does it start at home, in the kitchen perhaps or at our computers? It would be great to hear all of your thoughts.