What is your big idea?

"It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." Franklin D. Roosevelt

Your job in Phase 1 is to think up bold ideas to tackle the energy problem of your choice. You should apply your general knowledge and your understanding of energy and climate obligations. The example projects and previous participant experiences will also help as you think about potential projects. 

Your idea may be a physical product, or a service. It may be a technical innovation, or a social one. Think about what the market would be like for your project. You don't need to get rich, but you do need to figure out how to make the project self-supporting, and getting rich wouldn't hurt.  

Develop a 1 minute video pitch and share it in the discussion forum (you can embed a video in the post or use youtube Links to an external site. and just share the link). Also share a 1-page written or graphic description of your big idea (use a file sharing service like dropbox Links to an external site. and post a link). The goal is to communicate your idea to your peers in enough detail so they can give you good feedback - and maybe even decide to join you. 

• Please post each submission to a unique thread. You can link to videos and the 1 page descriptions.
• If you are already working in a group, each member should make their own unique submission - describing their specific anticipated contributions to the project.
• Please review the "assignment rubric" prior to your submission.
• Don't worry. This is just your initial idea. It will evolve throughout the course.

The First Penguin Award

At the end of this course, students will vote for one project to receive the First Penguin Award. This award is for risky and courageous ideas that end up being spectacular failures in terms of feasibility. We need to reward those of you who take risks; our climate obligations require 'disruptive' changes and not just incremental bolt tightening. I know it's not easy to go out on a limb, to try something different and new. But, if enough of us try these high-risk, high-reward ideas, some will be successful. So, the First Penguin Award is meant to reward these risky ideas. (You should Google why it is called The First Penguin award if you haven't already).

First Penguin winners from prior Clemson versions of the course Links to an external site. 

For more information

I think some of the most profitable and high-impact behavioral opportunities are those outlined in the report Simple and Inexpensive Actions Could Reduce Global Warming Emissions by One Billion Tons Links to an external site..