The term technology transfer, when used in regards to sustainability and appropriate technology, is often considered to mean a transfer from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere. But developed nations can learn valuable lessons from technologies developed in the majority world which may use less resources and have a lower impact on the environment. These are important factors for a part of the world that has a greater per capita effect on the global environment.
Examples[edit | edit source]
- The asthma inhaler spacers are an example of this type of transfer. Dr. Zahr, a physician in South Africa, is responsible for much of the research showing that this simple device can effectively replace the more expensive and less available commercial product. Bottle spacers are now being developed and produced by people working for a community health center in the United States.
- Many traditional techniques for building (such as adobe) are being newly appreciated due to their energy efficiency.
- From Bangladesh - Oral rehydration therapy.
- The Quake Safe building technique is based on traditional techniques.[verification needed]
- From Bangladesh - Microfinance programs (not actually invented by Professor Yunus, but pioneered by the Grameen Bank the he establish, as an effective tool in development).
- From Curitiba, Brazil - Bus Rapid Transit Systems (see Curitiba transportation)
- From Brazil & Mexico - Conditional Cash TransferW programs, using welfare as an incentive to encourage specific actions to reduce poverty, e.g. in health and education.
- From Colombia - "Cicolovía," car-free streets for biking, walking, and other activities (e.g. on specific days).
- From Cuba - Alphabetization program for literacy: "Yo Sí Puedo"
- From Kenya - using mobile phones (SMS) and the web to improve crisis response, pioneered by Ushahidi. (See Mobile phones in development and disaster management.)
- Updated cooking methods in modern kitchens An attempt of gathering inspirations from those who have very little, to try to come up with new and improved cooking methods and recipes for modern kitchens. To save electricity, time, water, energy.
Appropedia and South to North knowledge transfer[edit | edit source]
Appropedia enables this transfer, along with all directions of knowledge transfer. For example GEM mosquito control from India (which uses no pesticides) and a home biogas system from the Philippines. This includes both technology transfer and more general knowledge transfer.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Leapfrogging in Reverse, Jeremy Faludi July 30, 2005 A blog posting on South to North transfer followed by discussion and debate.
- Cash on Delivery of Your Kids to School, Andrew Leonard September 22, 2006 From Salon.com, a posting on a incentive program developed in Latin America and implemented in New York City.