Problem
The onset of the Open Door Policy and rapid development of rural economy in China has led to a significant increase in rural energy consumption. However, in many rural villages in China, much of the energy consumption required to power their daily lives and sustain the rural economy are powered mainly by unsustainable energy sources such as coal and petroleum. How can we get these communities to make the switch to less pollutive energy sources?
Insight
An average person takes 5,000 steps per day. With the rise of sneaker culture and demand for sportswear in China, there is potential for Adidas to create a shoe that draws public attention by emphasising the ‘low-carbon, eco-friendly’ trend.
Solution
We can fit Pavegen paving slabs technology in the heels of Adidas shoes. The slabs will harness energy from the footsteps of the wearer into small amounts of electrical power.
For every urban individual that purchases the Adidas Spark, a pair will be given to a villager in one of Beijing’s rural villages. Adidas Spark provides a sustainable way for villagers to generate energy without interfering in their daily lives, thereby encouraging them to make a switch from burning coal to this more sustainable and eco-friendly way of generating electricity.