The Environmental Protection Agency asked the public in June to create apps that would help address one of the seven priorities EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson unveiled in January 2010.The Apps for the Environment challenge was launched from there. On Tuesday, the EPA announced the overall winner was the Light Bulb Finder app, which helps users purchase energy-efficient and cost-effective bulbs.
Once the user selects a bulb, the app displays the bulb’s specifications and details possible energy and financial savings.
The EPA selected the Earthfriend app, a collection of games that serve to educate students about environmental issues, as top app for the student category.
The popular choice award, selected by visitors to the Apps for the Environment website, was taken by the CG Search app. This app allows users to compare air quality indices and pollution levels of various U.S. cities.
“Innovators from across the country have used information to help people protect our health and the environment,†said EPA Chief Information Officer Malcolm Jackson. “The winners of the Apps for the Environment challenge demonstrate that it’s possible to transform data from EPA and elsewhere into applications that people can use.â€
