Green technology, also called environmental technology or clean technology, is the practice of applying concepts from green chemistry, environmental science, environmental monitoring and other electronic devices in order to monitor and even preserve the environment and its resources. It is also used to monitor and try to prevent or undo the negative effects of human activity. However, one can use the term green technology to refer to technologies that generate sustainable energy, such as wind turbines, photovoltaics, or bioreactors. Devices that utilize less resources and are more economical also fall into this category.
In the past few decades we’ve started being more aware of the grave consequences of our actions, and had to face the fact that we relied on nonrenewable fuels and resources to make our world go round. This depletion of resources not only affects nature and the environment, affecting habitats, endangered species and other resources, but it affects our future on this planet. We realized that our progress was actually based on a regression, and that we were just digging the ground under our feet. As a result, more and more companies started adopting a new tech attitude which revolves around environmentally friendly concepts. However, this attitude is often just a marketing tool and it merely manipulates a brand’s image rather than actually helping the environment.
Yet the more one reads about green technology, the more they will realize that things have already progressed immensely, and that there are tens of separate technologies that strive to make the world a better place. Among them, we find technologies like bio-filtration, biosphere technology, desalination, energy conservation, electric vehicles, hydroelectricity, wind power, hydrogen fuel cell, ocean thermal energy conversion, solar power and even composting toilets. These are just some of the green technologies that have been developed or are being developed now, and they will help us protect our environment. Sadly, few mass producing companies share an interest in green new tech discoveries. The fact that big companies are indifferent to the environmental damages that they make makes most people think that that small, everyday gestures won’t make a difference. However, the small examples are the ones which will eventually educate the masses and each individual can make a difference.
Recycling could also be partly considered green technology, because it is based on technologies of recycling and keeping the environment cleaner of our waste. One of the most important technologies lately however is renewable energy, and our attempts at creating it without consuming so many resources and leaving a footprint. Whether it is solar-, water-, or wind-powered, renewable energy will probably save us in the future, especially since we are looking at a depletion of fuel resources and electricity can now power vehicles and make them autonomous for longer periods of time. Water purification is another major concern, which is why people invest in it lately; there are still places in the world where people barely have access to drinkable water, so technologies that would allow them to desalinate or purify water will definitely be useful. Similarly, air purification is important, especially in major cities where pollution affects people’s health.