Search:

What is Green Technology?

Environmental technology or "green technology" is the application of the environmental sciences to conserve the natural environment and resources, and by curbing the negative impacts of human involvement. Sustainable development is the core of environmental technologies. When applying sustainable development as a solution for environmental issues, the solutions need to be socially equitable, economically viable, and environmentally sound.

Some environmental technologies that retain sustainable development are; recycling, water purification, sewage treatment, remediation, flue gas treatment, solid waste management, renewable energy, and others.

The term "technology" refers to the application of knowledge for practical purposes. The field of "green technology" encompasses a continuously evolving group of methods and materials, from techniques for generating energy to non toxic cleaning products.

The present expectation is that this field will bring innovation and changes in daily life of similar magnitude to the "information technology" explosion over the last two decades. In these early stages, it is impossible to predict what "green technology" may eventually encompass.

The goals that inform developments in this rapidly growing field include:

* Sustainability - meeting the needs of society in ways that can continue indefinitely into the future without damaging or depleting natural resources. In short, meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
* "Cradle to cradle" design - ending the "cradle to grave" cycle of manufactured products, by creating products that can be fully reclaimed or re-used.
* Source reduction - reducing waste and pollution by changing patterns of production and consumption.
* Innovation - developing alternatives to technologies - whether fossil fuel or chemical intensive agriculture - that have been demonstrated to damage health and the environment.
* Viability - creating a center of economic activity around technologies and products that benefit the environment, speeding their implementation and creating new careers that truly protect the planet.

Green technology offers more environmentally friendly solutions than existing technology. Supporters of green technology claim that it saves money in the long-run, and that with long-term government commitment can reduce problems such as energy shortages. However, it can be difficult to assess the environmental benefits of green technology, and may also be too expensive for businesses and individuals to implement and maintain for long enough to see any savings

Renewable & Alternative Energy Resources: http://www.alternativeenergybase.com

This report is published by Energy Business Reports (www.EnergyBusinessReports.com), an energy industry think tank and leading source for energy industry information and research products. Energy Business Reports publishes and markets leading-edge industry reports in all sectors of the energy markets.

Please Rate this Article

# of Ratings = 1 | Rating = 1/5

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Sustainability Articles Via RSS!

Got a Question?

Additional Articles From - Home | Sustainability

Sign Up for a free account or learn more

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Submit Articles
Member Login
Top Authors
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds

Extend the life of your batteries => Save money by battery reconditioning

About Us
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service