As our situation changes, so do our priorities. Earlier, businesses focused solely on profits. Hence, considering expensive eco-friendly means was not an option. But as time went by, we started realizing the importance of conserving our environment. This shifted our focus towards green technology. In fact, consumers are becoming environmentally conscious nowadays and choosing eco-friendly products. This is a good move, as the right choices on the individual level will help us achieve our common goal of protecting our environment. Now that you have an idea about today’s topic, let’s get into details without further ado.
What is green technology?
Green technology represents using tools and practices that focus on protecting our environment and conserving our natural resources. It also aims at repairing, or, in the best case, reversing the damage done to our environment. Previously, green technology was perceived as expensive, thus it was neglected. In recent times, we have focused more on long-term effects, where green technology is attracting interest. Just to set the record straight, know that terms such as ‘clean technology’, ‘environmental technology’, and ‘green technology’ have the same meaning.
It is also important to take notice of how green technology has already become an integral part of our society. Even from an economic point of view, as shown by a recent study by Fortune Business Insight, the global market for green technology and sustainability, which was valued at approximately $14 billion in 2022, is supposed to grow from $16.5 billion in 2023 to approximately $62 billion by 2030. As such, we can expect more great things from the sector in the coming days.
The sector has also seen an increase in investment, which has actually tripled since 2015 and is expected to exceed $1 trillion in the coming year. Watch this video on what the future of green technology holds for more information.
Importance of Green Energy
As we have already explained, green energy is here to stay. Below are a few reasons to explore the importance of green tech.
1. Recycling helps reduce waste
Green technology allows for better recycling solutions, which in turn reduce waste harmful to the environment. Recycling turns waste into a resource. Green technology not only reduces waste but also helps us recover raw materials for other products. Recovering and reusing materials is helping with our demand for raw materials, which are extracted from nature, adding more constraints to it. Thus, it is also helping to preserve nature and natural resources.
2. Curbs Pollution
Another aspect in which green technology excels is preventing pollution. Traffic is a major contributor to air pollution. Hybrid and electric cars are now the norm, with some countries passing laws banning the use of fuel. This helps the planet and allows us to lead a more healthy life. Furthermore, by using renewable and clean energy sources, we can power up these electric vehicles, breaking the chain of pollution at its source. Green technology is committed to creating green and clean cities.
3. New Opportunities and Employment
And it is not only the planet that can benefit from green technology. As we have already mentioned, the entire green tech industry is currently on the rise, ripe with investments and funding in the trillions. This will not only drive the economy and open new doors, but also create new jobs.
Examples of green technology
Having understood the definition of green technology, let’s now take a look at a few noteworthy examples.
For green tech to be successful, it must rely on clean energy. Today, we are capable of harnessing nature for renewable and green energy, which the following table explores in brief:
| Source | Description | Advantage |
| Solar/Sun | The utilization of sunlight to harness heat energy | Cheap, clean and reduces electricity usage from non-renewable sources. |
| Wind | Uses the speed of wind to turn turbines | Generates electricity and reduces carbon emission |
| Water/Hydropower | Utilizes tidal waves and dams | Electricity generation from a reliable source. |
| Bio-waste | It uses the decomposition of biological waste. | Can be used in cooking and helps reduce waste. |
Solar panels
Solar energy is harnessed to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. The extraction process of fossil fuels has a negative environmental impact, whereas sunlight is easily available. Plus, using fossil fuels releases harmful substances, while there is no such issue with using solar energy. People use solar panels at home, which reduces the electricity bills significantly. Considering sunlight is a renewable source of energy, solar panels can be used widely to produce electricity with little to no environmental impact.
Wind turbines
Wind turbines are another sustainable way of generating power. The blades of turbines spin clockwise when the wind blows. It captures wind energy and converts it into electricity. It is a renewable source of energy and cost-effective. Also, wind turbines have a lifespan of up to 25 years, making them a good investment over a long period. Additionally, the impact of wind energy on the environment is negligible, so it can be easily installed to generate electricity for both commercial and personal use.
Electric vehicles
The release of harmful gases through vehicles is a major environmental concern. Switching to electric vehicles can give us advantages in some form. Firstly, gasoline-powered vehicles produce more carbon dioxide, whereas using vehicles powered by electricity will reduce carbon emissions. This will improve the quality of air and reduce the health risks associated with air pollution. Considering the positive impact of electric vehicles, few countries are focusing on increasing their number on roads.
Recycling
Recycling is a great way of reducing the need for manufacturing. Plus, we cut down on raw materials, which eventually protect our environment. An example of this is recycling paper which reduces the need to cut down trees. Also, the process of extracting raw materials from scratch takes up a lot of energy. On the other hand, you can use recycled raw materials that will save energy. Compare this with primary production, and you will have fewer greenhouse gases with recycling.
Vertical farming
Vertical farming is one of the agricultural technological solutions developed to deal with the problem of feeding the increasing population. It’s actually a green technology, where farming is done in a vertical setup as opposed to the traditional horizontal one. You may want to know what advantages vertical farming has over the traditional one. We have you covered. The obvious benefit is that it requires less land for farming. It also reduces the consumption of water, which can then be recycled. The best part? It doesn’t depend on the weather. This significantly cuts down on transportation, reducing harmful emissions and protecting the environment.
Application of green technology
We are less likely to get convinced to believe something unless we see the benefits. Therefore, it’s time to look at the application of green technology.
Conserves energy
We use a lot of energy daily. By switching to green technology, we can not only generate but also conserve energy efficiently. The use of solar water heaters allows us to harness solar energy and economize energy. That way, you can save water and consume less electricity, which eventually cuts down on costs too. Additionally, there are smart green devices available on the market that automatically shut down when not in use, saving energy in the process.
Reduces waste
We can reduce the amount of waste generated with the help of recycling. Also, we can turn waste into energy using green technology. It helps us convert food, animal, and agricultural waste into energy that can be used for fuel. Otherwise, these wastes are sent to landfills that take a long time to decompose. This way, we can protect our environment by generating and dumping less waste.
Benefits environment
There has already been a lot of damage done to our environment through human activities. But that doesn’t mean we will have to stop performing actions altogether. Instead, we can look for sustainable ways to achieve the same results. That’s where green technology comes into the picture, helping us rescue our environment. It decreases the emissions of harmful greenhouse gases to combat global warming and improve the quality of our lives.
Reduces expense
At first, the huge investment required for implementing green technology may seem overwhelming. But be assured, it’s a one-time investment, which will truly prove beneficial in the long run. You can lower your energy bills by simply using eco-friendly technology. Also, green technology’s philosophy of using less energy and fewer materials creates sustainable cost savings.
How you can help
Now that we have come to the end of this analysis, do you want to know how you can contribute towards this noble green drive? You can start on the individual level by making green choices. These choices can be anything from purchasing local products that will minimize carbon footprints to recycling. Concluding on a brighter note—make personal choices to protect our environment, and you’ll play a part in the global incentive.