Emily Cummins is an inventor with a focus on helping the environment. This wouldn't be so unique if it wasn't for the fact that she is only 21, and has been inventing since the age of four when her grandad gave her a hammer.

Starting by taking things apart and rebuilding them with her grandad - who she describes as an 'inspiration' - in his shed, Emily progressed and won a barrage of awards and competitions at school for inventions such as a toothpaste dispenser that minimises waste, which she came up with at just 15 years old. She went on to become Cosmopolitan's Ultimate Save-The-Planet Pioneer in 2008.

Currently in her 3rd year of university at Leeds, she studies part time so she can work on her inventions, and dedicate time to inspiring young people.

Emily's best known invention is the sustainable fridge, (pictured with her) which she also produced at school, and is set to change lives in the third world, as it is used to hold medicines. Emily is currently working on a second generation version that is intended for commercial use.

Emily believes that all new inventions should be green. She says "This concept - to maintain the quality while neutralising the damage to the environment - must be extended to all the other appliances we can't seem to function without such as TVs, cookers, dishwashers, computers, even cars."

"Just like Trevor Baylis's wind-up radio, the key is to creating quality green alternatives to the items which people have come to rely on."

If you think you have a great idea for a green invention, she suggests you check out N powers 'Bright Ideas competition' on their website, where you can also check out some great tips for getting more energy efficient.

I never had a night light as a child, but from what I do know they're supposed to help if you're scared of the dark. Somehow I don't think this one would have helped me, but still, its gorgeously made and very unique.

It comes from RE, a shop in Northumberland that sells products that have been remade, recycled or rescued. From shelves, to cards, to
light fittings.

If you're made of stronger stuff then I, and you want the Mexican Day of the Dead Skull Nightlight Cover, you can order it online for £17.50

Paul Ridden writes: Following a successful trial at its depot in Northampton, a Sainsbury's store car park in Gloucester is getting ready to start producing enough energy to power the store's tills. The power will be generated by the action of cars rolling over kinetic plates, which have been positioned underneath road surfaces. The impressive 30kW per hour of energy produced by the plates should be more than enough to keep the tills running.

As a car rolls over the road surface, the plates produce a sort of pumping action (similar to that used by Formula 1 racing cars to turn braking energy into speed) which then drives a generator. The store in Gloucester also benefits from rainwater recycling to flush the lavs, solar panels and the cold air from the fridges is used to keep customers cool while they pay for their goods at the checkouts.

With Tesco about to install electric car charging ports at its stores in Kensington and Vauxhall, it looks like being eco-friendly will feature heavily in future trips to the supermarket!

I've seen people use all kinds of tactics to try and lure people into the joys of vegetarianism from shoving pictures of slaughterhouses in their buger-filled faces to just going on and on about how much great veggie food there is and the health benefits of avoiding animal products. But I've got to admire Sir Paul McCartney for trying to establish a weekly day of vegetarianism with his plan for 'meat-free Monday'.

What's his beef?

Festival season is just around the corner and the good old UK weather might not be the only thing that stops you having a good time. But if you're a green gadget lover like me, then taking your favourite tech with you to the next music festival might be a cause for some concern...

Gadgets need power and being a greenie you naturally need to make sure all your cool tools are powered up without harming the earth. Mobile phone giant Orange has recognised this need for eco-power and is offering the Power Pump as the charging solution of choice: created by energy experts Got Wind, the Power Pump will rely on some nifty legwork to ensure your mobile phone will always be charged and ready for action - whether it be for snaps, video, MP3s if there's no-one you want to see or even to contact your friends.

Cars and eco friendly don't really tend to fall into the same category as each other- unless you're talking about electric cars that is. Even so, style normally seems to be lacking from these economical numbers (for example) but the latest model from Smart has managed to tick all the right boxes.

Not only does its lush green and white leather interior look eminently desirable, they've also given it some features that would make the most hardened eco warrior feel all warm and cuddly inside.

Read on to find out more about those features!

Having been vegetarian since I was in primary school, I've tried a lot of veggie burgers in my time. There's the good (juicy, satisfying, meaty) the mediocre and the downright ugly (mashed up vegetables with breadcrumbs) but I feel I've still yet to sample the perfect veggie burger.

Now, it seems that Redwood foods might just have created the holy-grail of meat free burgers...and they want to give you one free to try!

Read on to find out more...

You can do some really pretty things with tin cans (just ask Glittermouse!) but I've not seen anyone use this remarkably simple technique of turning them into nifty pincushions before. The outer part of the can is coated with decorative while the inside is stuffed with poly fill stuffing and covered with a fabric layer. Instead of waffling on about the process any further, I'll direct you to the entire tutorial, which is over on Design Sponge.

Diaries at the ready: If you want the chance to help those less fortunate than yourself this summer (while still having a damn good time) then get yourself down to the Smoke on June 28th and enjoy some fine Indian cuisine and some top entertainment at the prestigious Chelsea Conservatory.

The Pratham UK Indian Summer Party has been organised to help raise funds to try and improve the lot of India's 210 million children (half of whom are unable to read) by providing them with the education they need to succeed. The charity has already managed to help over 21 million kids improve their literacy and numeracy skills thanks to generous donations from the likes of IT super-hero Bill Gates amongst others. But there's still a way to go before Pratham reaches its target of transforming the lives of 100 million children by 2010.

Read on to find out how you can help

It's been a while since green gadgets have hit the headlines, but they're back with an eco-friendly bang as Sony Ericsson announce the launch to two new green phones, to be out later this year. They've gone back to basics with the handsets and have steered clear of solar panels and associated malarkey, and opted instead for recycled materials and environment friendly materials.