Bright ideas in 2021

Amazing ideas in 2021 - 5th April 2021

So far, 2021 has been a difficult year. Coronavirus has changed people's lives. But people have still achieved amazing things.

Indian fashion designer Lakshmi Menon had an idea which is making sure people with Covid-19 are comfortable. She is making mattresses from waste plastic. The beds are for India's Covid centres. Menon's beds help the environment because they are recycled. And they help the Covid centres because they are cheaper than normal mattresses.

Meanwhile, a Kenyan company, The Bug Picture has found a way to help farmers with locusts. Locusts are insects which have caused lots of problems for East African farmers. They destroy farmers' crops. Now, The Bug Picture has a way to use the locusts. The company is training locals to catch locusts. The insects are then turned into animal feed for the farmers.

England's National Health Service is testing out a new invention: a tiny camera which is inside a pill. Patients swallow the pill. Photos are taken every two seconds as the camera moves through the body. Doctors study the pictures. They check for diseases like cancer. It is hoped this new technology can help many patients.

New technology could also change what we eat. In the US, a 'clean' meat is made by scientists. It doesn't come from a dead animal. Scientists grow the 'clean' meat in a laboratory. The 'clean' meat has now gone on sale in Singapore. Maybe later in the year, 'clean' chicken will be on the menu at a restaurant near you!

People are still facing lots of difficulties in 2021. But we are fighting back and amazing things are happening every day. There is a lot of hope for the rest of the year.