Incorporating
sound environmental decisions in our daily lives has been made easier with the
availability of several green apps for the mobile device. Below is a list of
five useful environmental apps that are free and feature discussions and
motivators for carbon footprint identification and reduction, climate change,
global forest cover, product scoring based upon environmental impact, and
environmental actions all aimed at making better choices for sustainable
living.
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Commute
Greener
Concerned
about your carbon footprint? Commute Greener
you track your personal CO2 emissions. Input the travel distance and mode of
transportation, and Commute Greener will do the calculations. Improvement is
the key: users set goals to reduce their transportation emissions over times. For
those users who are motivated by competition, a game can be made out of who can
reduce their carbon footprint the most through communication with other app
users.
Skeptical
Science
For those
environmentalists that still come across others in their social circles that deny,
dismiss or minimize climate change Skeptical Science becomes a useful tool for
dismantling any argument to the contrary. This app offers relevant science and argumentative
counterpoints to win over a skeptic — or failing that, provide grounded science
based information to establish a credible argument for deeper conversation and consideration.
Global
Forest Watch
Though
not currently available specifically as a phone app, Google has recently unveiled
the Global Forest Watch
website app for tracking deforestation around the globe. The website provides
interactive maps of the world showing where trees have disappeared since the
year 2000. Google hopes to bring awareness to deforestation as a result of this
app.
GoodGuide
Although
avoiding consumerism is still the best environmental choice, buying some items
is inevitable. When shopping is necessary, the GoodGuide
app can help the consumer make environmentally informed purchases. Users scan
an item’s barcode with their phones to see environmental ratings of the product.
The app rates more than 170,000 products to help consumers with many of their
purchases.
Rippl
Rippl provides its members with helpful tips to pursue a more
sustainable way of living. The app provides action focused environmental suggestions
and practical solutions for following through. Awareness of these green actions
becomes challenges the ways we live and conduct our business but this app
motivates by tracking progress.
Phone apps make green living more convenient and accessible
than ever.
Article inspired by Kevin Mathews from Care2.
Phone
app user image via Shutterstock.