Today's world is embracing the use of ecologically friendly technology that is also called green technology in the operations being done in various industrial and manufacturing sectors. This is done in an effort to combat climate change and protect the planet. Let's look at what green technology involves and also consider its advantages and some concerns people have about it.
GREEN TECHNOLOGY:
Green technology is a type of technology or science that consists of production processes or mechanisms that are environmentally clean and promote the use of alternative fuels and sources of energy as against the use of fossil fuels. It also involves the use and adoption of technologies whose impact on the environment is less harmful. The overall aim of green technology is to protech the planet and reverse the harm that has already been done.
THE TYPES OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY
(1) SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE:
The excessive use of water, pesticides,herbicides and other chemicals coupled with poor animal waste management, deforestation for farming and other harmful uses of land has been identified as some of the causes of environmental degradation. Sustainable farming practices like organic farming, the use of methane inhibitors in cattle farming and research into alternative meat protein sources are being adopted as part of the ways to solve this problem.
THE CHANGE TO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY:
The industrial revolution of the 19th century introduced the industrial dependence on fossil fuels as the major source of energy and this has greatly polluted the earth and destroyed ecological systems. Focus is now shifting to harnessing the power of the sun to power human activities as well as the use of wind and hydro energy.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES (E V's):
The emissions from the exhaust of vehicles has contributed much to environmental pollution. Today some companies are coming up with solutions to this by producing cars that run on batteries that are charged by electricity, cars that consume less energy are also being developed and investments into electric vehicle infrastructure are aggressively pursued by governments around the world.
RECYCLING:
Globally the use of plastics is being discouraged because it is not biodegradable. Plastics are not the only culprits Glass, metals,waste from electrical appliances and automobile parts are part of the problem
.All of these are being recycled and converted into other useful things.
Let's look at the benefits of green technology.
IMPROVED HEALTH:
The waste and emissions generated by human activities have led to air, water and land pollution.This has given rise to cases of cancer and respiratory illnesses due to poor air and water quality. The use of green technological processes is bringing these under control as efforts are made to reduce emissions. Air and water quality is gradually improving in some areas thus leading to improved quality of health.
NATURE CONSERVATION:
As the world gradually embraces the use of sustainable ways of doing things, focus is shifting away from reliance on fossil fuels to drive manufacturing As this is sustained and oil spill sites are being cleaned,the destruction of natural ecological systems is being controlled and reduced.
NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
The transition to clean energy is creating new markets and opening job opportunities for many people. As people get trained in sustainable agriculture, waste recycling and others they get skills to set up their own small businesses and also work in industries that focus on producing sustainable products and services. All of these contributes to the growth of a country's economy.
However despite all this benefits of reducing the use of fossil fuels some are concerned that the adoption of nuclear power plants as a way to generate electricity as against the use of fossil fuel is also dangerous and that research into green technology is slow and too expensive. Whatever the case the fact is that things have to change.
CONCLUSION:
Humans cannot continue the way that they have been running their activities which has led to the massive destruction of the ecological balance of planet earth. The adoption of green technology in its various forms is the way to go. This is not just a technological adventure but a necessity to save the earth and its inhabitants.