Aiding Recovery in Japan
For the past week, the world has been fixed on news of the devastation in Japan; the initial damage from the earthquake and the subsequent nuclear threat. In addition to traditional aid, several innovative technology-based efforts have been undertaken to help the country in this time of crisis.
Idea Contribution
Innovators wondering how to assist with aid to the country, may be able to contribute technology related to Japan’s earthquake response or to deal with the nuclear reactor situation. The Global Innovation Commons, a compilation of innovations that can be used because of patent expiration, abandonment, invalidity, or lack of in-country protection, has generated a list of information related to potable water, road reconstruction, solar energy, water filtration, shelter, and more. The potable water section, for example, features patents for modular water filtration systems, the removal of arsenic from drinking water.
Radiation Alerts
Due to the inconsistency of official information regarding radiation levels, a number of real-time unsanctioned radiation monitors have appeared online. CNET reports that a live geiger counter at altTokyo.com updates a graph with data every 60 seconds, and a uStream channel broadcasting the digital display of another Tokyo geiger counter was drawing more than 14,000 daily viewers.
Amateurs on the other side of the Pacific are also taking radiation tracking into their own hands. While official reports indicate that residents of Hawaii and western states are not in danger of radiation, suppliers of Geiger Counters and potassium iodide tablets (which can protect against radiation-caused cancer) have had trouble keeping up with demand.
Coordinating Efforts
Immediately following the disaster, digital tools from Google and Ushahidi immediately sprang into action to coordinate rescue efforts. Nearly 400,000 records have been entered on the Google “person finder” site. Most news outlets have provided in-depth coverage as the disaster has unfolded but the BBC live Asia Pacific site continues to broadcast an impressive amount of content via Twitter, video, and written content, providing an impressive source for concerned viewers around the world.
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