The pandemic may have put the world on pause but global warming continues to become a threat to the environment and people. Fortunately, green technology has helped develop solutions that slow down global warming and climate change and preserve the environment. Moreover, different sectors have been finding ways to use sustainable materials and processes, furthering green tech.
From eco electric scooters to urban farming, these green technologies have been providing convenience for people and saving the environment. The following are just some of the green technologies that the world needs to implement more for a sustainable future.
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles run on an electric motor instead of a combustion engine that uses fuel and gases. As a result, it does not emit carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, greenhouse gases, and other air pollutants that harm the environment. In recent years, the transportation sector has begun to develop and implement electric vehicles worldwide such as electric cars, electric buses, eco-friendly electric scooters, and electric trucks, among many others.
Among these electric vehicles, electric scooters have become one of the most popular alternative modes of transportation because of its efficiency and eco-friendly benefits. However, are electric scooters green? A report by ride-sharing service Lime found that using more e-scooters in Paris helped save 330 tons of CO2 emissions in a year. If more people use e-scooters in the city, the report says it could save over 10,000 CO2 emissions by 2030.
To further reduce the harmful gases in the air, the UN Habitat has launched the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative (UEMI) which plans to increase the electric vehicle market worldwide by 30% in 2030 and reduce 30% of CO2 emissions by 2050.
Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy uses natural resources to generate energy that cannot be depleted. This includes harnessing energy from sunlight, water, geothermal heat, tides, wind, and other biomass. With green tech, people can generate energy through innovations such as solar panels, geothermal wells, and more. In fact, according to experts, solar energy will account for 27% of the energy source globally by 2050.
Using renewable energy sources will reduce greenhouse gases significantly and help slow down climate change and global warming. It also gives way to developing other green tech solutions such as eco battery technology and green building.
To make renewable energy more accessible to consumers, products such as solar panels and solar roof tiles offer a convenient way to incorporate sustainable energy into households. While most renewable energy sources or products are not accessible to households, consumers can also help save energy by using eco-friendly or smart products that help conserve energy from light bulbs to appliances.
Green Architecture
Green architecture promotes the use of renewable energy sources and considers the construction’s overall impact on the environment from its materials to its design. There are plenty of reasons for the construction industry to build green architecture, but here are three major benefits:
Saves on costs
Since green architecture uses modern building methods, construction may slightly be more expensive. However, its cost benefits are felt in the long run as green buildings have been reported to cost 20% lower on maintenance and 10% lower on operations.
Regulates temperature
Green buildings are much cooler than regular buildings and it emits fewer greenhouse gases by 62%. Overall, it helps regulate the temperature inside and outside of the building.
Improves health and lifestyle
Green architecture also improves the quality of air water within buildings. Moreover, it enhances the productivity of its occupants. In fact, a study found that people were more productive in green office environments than those in regular buildings.
Overall, green architecture does not only help in slowing down global warming but also improve the production processes in the construction industry and improve the lives of its inhabitants.
Vertical Farming
Vertical farming is an urban farming method that stacks plants vertically, allowing farmers to make use of small lands and produce more harvest. It usually follows either one of three techniques: aquaponics, aeroponics, and hydroponics.
Overall, vertical farming reduces the need for water, land, chemical, and fertilizer as its design makes it more efficient to care for. Reducing these basic farming necessities allows farmers to save on costs, make farming more efficient, maximise land space, reduce carbon emissions, and prevents farmers from cutting down trees for more land space.
Vertical farming also allows and encourages consumers to plant their own produce. Hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics kits are available in the market. With these simple and portable kits, households, even those living in apartments, can grow their own vertical farm.
As the agriculture sector continues to use or transition toward urban farming, the vertical farming market is expected to reach a value of $22.07 billion by 2026. That’s a 27.77% increase from 2019. Costs for setting up vertical farming can be expensive. However, its long-term economic and environmental benefits will outweigh the cost.
Why we need green tech
Why do we need green technology? Aside from the fact that the effects of global warming can already be felt, green tech helps enhance the people’s quality of life without harming the environment. From using eco-friendly light bulbs and appliances to riding electric scooter technology, these small and big sustainable actions will add up to helping reduce carbon emissions, slowing down global warming, and preserving our environment. Green tech will help us reduce the harm on the environment before the environment harms us.
