Green Technology in Action The United Arab Emirates (UAE) intends to construct the world’s first carbon-neutral city using on solar, wind and other renewable energy resources. Scheduled for completion in 2016, Masdar City will use 70 per cent less electricity and 60 per cent less water than a conventional city. The UAE intends that this city will be a global clean technology hub. Green technology adopts the philosophy of “green thinking,” which looks at every object in nature and understands its value and role in maintaining a healthy planet. It requires transitioning into sustainable development pathways that meet the present needs of society, without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. According to greentechnology.org, green technology often incorporates ideas such as “creating products that can be fully reclaimed or re-used; reducing waste and pollution by changing patterns of production and consumption; developing alternatives to technologies harmful to health and the environment such as fossil fuel or chemical intensive agriculture; and creating economic opportunities around technologies and products that benefit the environment”. Today there are various fields where green technology is applicable. The most notable is the energy sector where the development of alternatives to fossil fuels and increasing energy efficiency are treated with a great sense of urgency. One such alternative is renewable energy, which is rapidly being deployed in various geographic locations across the world, primarily in the areas of solar, wind, hydro, biofuels and biomass. Renewable energy has resulted in energy security for the future, economic benefits, and climate change mitigation. According to the Renewables 2014 Global Status Report, renewable energy provided an estimated 19 percent of global final energy consumption in 2012, and continued to grow in 2013. Worldwide investments in renewable technologies amounted to more than US$ 214 billion in 2013, with countries like China and the United States heavily investing in wind, hydro, solar and biofuels. The report also alluded to the economic burdens of fossil fuel subsidies, with estimates for the global cost ranging from USD 544 billion to USD 1.9 trillion-several times higher than those for renewable energy. Renewable energy resources are certainly making significant strides in the energy sector, and this will be explored in next week’s article. Green technology in the construction sector is also an area of keen interest. This involves incorporating environmentally responsible practices in the designing of commercial and residential properties, resulting in high-energy efficiency. In Trinidad and Tobago, there is a Green Building Council dedicated to fostering green building practices through business and public awareness initiatives. Some aspects of green building techniques frequently applied include using solar energy to generate electricity through the installation of solar panels on the roof; reducing rain water run-off by using plants and trees as “green roofs” and rain gardens; using low-impact building materials such as lumber from forests that have been certified to a third-party forest standard, rapidly renewable plant materials like bamboo and straw, recyclable stone or products that are non-toxic, reusable, renewable, and/or recyclable; using energy efficient appliances, LED lights, and water conserving fixtures such as ultra-low flush toilets and low-flow shower heads. These “green” options have led to an increased preference for energy efficient products among consumers, which marketing executives use as leverage for increased sales. Many consumers in the United States for example look out for that iconic “Energy Star” rating on appliances before purchasing. In terms of commercial buildings, many businesses also monitor operation and maintenance staff to ensure that waste reduction and energy efficiency are practiced on a daily basis. Several companies are now implementing paper, electricity and water-use audits to track how their organisation utilises these resources, as well as developing and practising green operating policies accordingly. Green technology also extends into the field of applied sciences including chemistry. According to the American Chemistry Society, green chemistry “creates a new reality for chemistry and engineering by asking chemists and engineers to design chemicals, chemical processes and commercial products in a way that, at the very least, avoids the creation of toxics and waste”. Furthermore, the scope of green chemistry principles goes beyond concerns over hazards from chemical toxicity and includes energy conservation, waste reduction, and life cycle considerations such as designing for end of life or the final disposal of the product. This has resulted in many companies designing a range of non-toxic, environmentally-friendly items from household cleaning products, to organic skin care cosmetics. The packaging of regular consumer items such as plastic bottles is also being redesigned to incorporate more biodegradable elements. Green technology has affirmed its presence on the global market today and more energy efficient solutions are constantly being sought after each day. Engineers, scientists, manufacturers, policymakers and the ordinary individual are trying to restore and maintain a balance between development and the laws of nature, and the philosophy of “green thinking” is becoming more intertwined in our path to progression. If you have any comments or would like to contribute to this column please send us an email at [email protected].