GOOD CLEANTECH INTENTIONS - UNFORESEEN RESULTS WHICH CAN HURT KIDS IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD

In the developing world, pumping water from where it is to where it's
needed is important. For drinking, for washing, for irrigating crops,
for watering livestock. Diesel-powered pumps, which use fuel and pollute
the air and make a lot of noise and break down and need to be fixed, do
much of the pumping. So it seems like a good idea to use human-powered
treadle pumps (like a Stairmaster) to replace them.

A "do good things" firm in England pays families in India to replace
diesel with human power. But there are problems. The diesel pumps get
sold and used someplace else. And kids may be forced to do a lot more
than their fair share - like as slave labor for so many hours it hurts
their health. But human power might be a good idea for lots of things in
poor countries. Like cranking cheap computers to power them

So I think government and organizations should find ways to hear kids'
voices about cleantech stuff that will affect them. Not only to protect
kids, but to hear our ideas. Maybe in schools? Maybe in blogs?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/article2512731.ece#region-body-and-footer