Globalization, the human population boom in urban areas, and the burning of fossil fuels are causing undeniable harm to our beloved planet. Apart from the burning of fossil fuels, plastic waste is harming both our land and water bodies. Scientists, engineers, and activists believe that the only way to save the planet is to go green. This article about green tech will show you the top 5 green technologies that can save the planet Earth.
What are Green Technologies ?
The color green is associated with nature, growth, and rebirth. Hence, green technologies are those technologies that are eco-friendly, sustainable, and energy-efficient. They aim to reduce land, air, and water pollution, conserve natural resources, reduce the negative impact of human activities on Earth, and impede global warming.
Green technologies use renewable energy sources such as wind, water, and solar. Green technologies include green buildings, electric cars, solar panels, and sustainable agriculture. Summarized below are the top five green technologies that can save the planet.
Green Buildings
Green buildings are constructed to reduce energy consumption compared to traditional buildings. The construction practices for green buildings reduce the heat lost to the outside, thus reducing the need and cost of heating. Furthermore, construction materials are traditionally sourced from urban waste and landfills. These buildings will significantly reduce emissions from the construction process to the use of facilities compared to traditional ones.
Solar Glass
Solar glass is a relatively new technology that promises sustainable energy. It is a transparent window material that can capture solar energy and transform it into electricity. The major challenge of using solar glass is its efficiency. For solar glass to maintain transparency, solar energy conversion efficiency will be sacrificed. Studies indicate that solar glass achieves lower than 15% efficiency compared to solar panels, which can offer more significant than 25% efficiency.
Carbon Capture
Combustion engines release vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This makes the volume of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere unusually high, thus heating the planet and contributing to global warming. The capture and storage of carbon will help reverse the adverse effects of global warming and save the earth in the long run. Excess carbon dioxide can be stored in rock formations closer to the Earth’s crust. The first Carbon dioxide capture plant in the world was established in Switzerland in 2017.
Electric Vehicles
More than 30% of the total carbon emissions in the world are caused by automobiles. The burning of fossil fuels is drastically affecting the health of the planet. Therefore, converting from conventional combustion-based cars to electric vehicles will reduce these emissions significantly.
The major constraint to electric vehicles is that they are expensive, and not everyone can afford them. However, the prevalence of electric vehicles will have a positive impact on the health of the planet and living things within.
Artificial Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants produce energy from carbon dioxide and sunlight. Engineers are already developing a technology that will mimic green plants in this regard. This new alternative energy source will provide sustainable energy by using excess carbon in the atmosphere.
Conclusion
The planet’s health should be the concern of everyone, not just scientists. Other green technologies people can rely on include solar panels, nuclear fission, biodegradable plastics, and eco-friendly construction machinery
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