eCO2

Climate change remains a global crisis, and individuals often feel disconnected from the solution. eCO2 is an interactive wearable backpack that uses micro-algae and Arduino sensors to visualize air quality. It transforms abstract climate data into a living sensory experience, empowering individuals to physically sequester carbon through movement. eCO2 bridges this gap by making the invisible visible, transforming a common accessory into a personal tool for environmental change. Inspired by the need to map global warming to everyday life, eCO2 merges fashion with biotechnology. The project centers on a wearable system that acts as both a visual "warning" and a functional solution for urban pollution.

From visualization to transformation: Most wearables stop at data visualization. eCO2 moves further into data transformation. While typical wearable tech focuses on fitness or aesthetics, this project integrates living biological agents like micro-algae as a functional hardware component.

The soft and hard hybrid: It bridges the gap between high-tech electronics and organic materials, creating a unique hybrid system. Unlike stationary air purifiers, eCO2 utilizes human mobility to actively restore the environment.

Fashion as survival: The innovation lies in its provocative vision of the future. It suggests a world where we must carry our own life-support and filtration systems, effectively turning fashion into a vital tool for environmental survival and restoration. By making carbon capture mobile and personal, it redefines the wearer’s relationship with the atmosphere from a passive observer to an active, biological participant.

Agency through design: By integrating biotechnology into a backpack, which is a staple of youth culture, the project meets the need for mobile, tech-forward, and expressive environmental solutions. It empowers young people to take active responsibility in their daily lives. This provides a tangible way to push back against the emissions they have inherited.

Interactive narrative: Ultimately, eCO2 turns a daunting global issue into a manageable, interactive story. It transforms the urban environment into a space for participation, allowing the wearer to reclaim their relationship with the atmosphere through a functional, fashion-forward statement.