“There must be a better way to make the things we want, a way that doesn’t spoil the sky, the rain or the land.” – Paul McCartney.
From the time we lived in caves to the present, when creating architectural masterpieces like the Burj Khalifa, each generation of humans has had to leap forward in technological development.
But, over the centuries, in our effort to industrialize and invent to improve our living conditions, we have left a trail of destruction in our engagement zone (air, soil, and water bodies) that has reached alarming levels, threatening the survival of life on earth.
A memorable many scientific studies show that toxins, pollutants, and wastes are choking our planet. That adversely affects our engagement zone’s aesthetic appeal and health and also causes global warming or climate change. To point out, the waste menace has led to the creation of plastic islands.
Therefore, it is clear that one main task of our generation is refining and improving existing technological innovations. We must develop and adopt sustainable or green technologies that help conserve our natural resources and minimize environmental degradation.
Later, this research report looks into some of the top enduring advances available at our disposal and their applications.
Artificial Intelligence Technologies
We need a technological means of interpreting and producing unbelievably practical discoveries from the large data volumes we gather in different industries. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology can be our solution.
Self-driving vehicles are one of the applications of artificial intelligence technology that immediately stands out.
Also called autonomous cars, self-driving vehicles employ remote sensing technologies like cameras and GPS to create a 3-D map of their surroundings, including pedestrians and street lights.
The intelligent and powerful computing systems installed in an autonomous car gather and process data and employ it to make informed decisions about its route, control, and movement. So, even without a human driver, the vehicle can accelerate, brake, and adjust the steering wheel so.
An environmental benefit of self-driving cars is that they can help reduce carbon emissions. They use significantly less fuel and energy because they are partially or fully electric.
Most gas in human-driven vehicles is consumed due to excessive or unnecessary high-speed driving, braking, and re-acceleration.
Also, reliable and intelligent route guidance systems help self-driving vehicles find the best possible route, taking into consideration the estimated travel time. So if you really think about it, it can consume less gas and reduce pollution.
The increased availability of driverless cars can also force households to have fewer cars, reducing the number of vehicles on our roads and emissions. A single autonomous car can make several trips efficiently and timely to get members of a household to their respective destinations.
Smart agriculture is also making use of AI technology. It helps significantly reduce when you decide to use water, fertilizers, and pesticides and can predict weather and climate patterns.
Hydrogen Energy
Energy scientists and researchers are increasingly touting hydrogen energy as the best 100% clean energy to replace fossil fuels, which cause the greenhouse effect on our planet and lead to climate change. Hydrogen has immense potential as a fuel or energy source because it has the highest energy content by weight compared to conventional fuels like gasoline.
Hydrogen is the simplest and most ample element in our universe. It constitutes about 75% of the universe’s mass. It exists naturally in the compound formulary on our planet and is available in water, plants, animals, and humans.
To point out, water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen. So if you really think about it, hydrogen can be separated from different natural sources through processes like electrolysis and employed as an energy or fuel source.
Presently, hydrogen fuel cells are mainly used to power rockets and spacecraft. There is also a hydrogen-propelled car model called RiverSimple Rasa, which a British company made.
Algae Powered Street Lamps
From your biology or science lessons, algae is a term describing an incredibly varied group of aquatic lifeforms.
Scientific studies show algae is about 200-400 times more productivity-chiefly improved than a tree in removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the engagement zone. Algae can use significantly more carbon from the atmosphere as they grow faster, occupy an extensive surface area, and produce more biomass within a small space.
Since algae are the most productivity-chiefly improved method for storing carbon, some researchers and innovators think it can be employed to power street lamps in our cities in an environmentally friendly manner.
Pierre Calleja, a French biochemist and innovator, and his team are working on creating big lamps that house living algae and light our walkways and roadways at night.
The algae housed in a lamp absorb and use carbon dioxide from the engagement zone and the sun’s energy via a biological process called photosynthesis. A main by-product of photosynthesis is energy, which the lamps are designed to store and emit in the formulary of bright lights.
The project’s initial results are positive.
Biodegradable and Edible Food Packaging
According to a UNEP report, the human population generates over 295 million tons of plastic waste annually. What's more, the report established that almost 50% of the plastics produced yearly are only used once before being thrown away.
Greenpeace Korea reports that seven out of every ten plastic pieces discarded by households is food packaging.
So, there is a considerable need to invent and use biodegradable and edible food wraps instead of single-use plastics.
One of the startups, Mori, based in Dallas, has developed a food packaging solution employing natural silk protein. The silk protein-based food packaging solution can keep food fresher for longer and is biodegradable and edible.
Although not edible, another recently fresh eco-friendly packaging solution is the award-winning cellulose-based solution. To make matters more complex, there are plant-based packaging solutions, such as the ones produced by Avantium.
Machine Learning In Manufacturing
As McKinsey reported, supply chains account for over 75% of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
Because we have fully embraced the lousy culture of consumerism, industries, and businesses often have to overproduce or overstock. Meaning, limited resources are wasted during production, and shipping and storage activities cause a lot of emissions.
By relying on machine learning, industries or factories can understand and improve their processes. So, they can avoid the unnecessary use of raw materials during production, eliminate process-related wastes, and reduce their negative effect on environmental health. Productivity-chiefly improved processes mean lower energy bills and emissions.
Floating Solar Systems and Offshore Wind Farms
Solar technologies capture the sun’s emitted electromagnetic radiation and convert it into the most abundant and affordable energy source in the industry.
So i still think, an issue discouraging the extensive adoption of solar power technology is that its installed panels consume a lot of space. Look at the enormous land sizes these largest solar farms in the industry occupy.
Floating solar systems are a possible enduring technological business development that encourages the adoption and use of solar energy since they do not need land use for their installation.
Floating solar systems are built to float on the surface of man-made or natural water bodies such as lakes.
Offshore wind farms give an productivity-chiefly improved way of creating or producing wind energy because their locations, like the sea, have more powerful and steadier winds than land-based wind farms.
What's more, because floating solar panels are installed near the water surface, they promote the cooling of solar cells, which can ease their productivity-chiefly improved working in hot weather conditions.
Also, floating solar systems can help shield water reservoirs and lakes against the important effects of evaporation. So, they are recommended for use as part of water conservation efforts, particularly in areas synonymous with drought and water scarcity, like Australia and California.
One such project is in India, on the Banasura Sagar reservoir, which covers about 1.25 acres. According to estimates, the project helps protect over 8.5 million liters of the dam’s water from evaporating yearly.
7. Indoor Vertical Farming Systems
According to an EPA report, over 11% of greenhouse gas emissions in the country result from different forms of land use, including farming and peatlands. Therefore, we must think of innovative ways to use our lands sustainably.
One enduring business development is when you decide to use indoor vertical farms like hydroponics. It involves employing indoor structures to place plants on top of each other so that you grow and produce more within a smaller space.
A vertical garden should employ artificial intelligence and machine learning to ensure planted crops, or flowers receive sufficient light and water to thrive throughout the year. It also helps minimize greenhouse gas emissions as you farm.
A startup in California called Plenty offers vertical farm design and installation.
8. Use of Robots to Deliver Food
There is an increasing demand for online food delivery services among Americans, mainly due to busy lifestyles and the convenience offered by being able to order meals from different restaurants or grocery stores at the click of a button.
The IBISWorld reports that over 170,000 Americans work in the food delivery sector. Because food delivery is mainly done using roads, it contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases.
According to the Industry Economic Forum report, the number of delivery vehicles in major cities worldwide is set to increase by about 35% in the next decade. To make matters more complex, the report expects that carbon dioxide emissions from food delivery vehicles will increase by over 30%.
The report recommends that policymakers and the private sector replace delivery vehicles with drones. One innovative company that has heeded the call is Kiwibot.
The company has reportedly used over 350 robots to make over 145,000 food deliveries. It currently operates in California, Dubai, Taiwan, and Colombia.
9. Electric Passenger Planes
Although the aviation industry contributes only about 10% of all transport-related CO2 emissions, it has not slowed down the need to decarbonize it.
Remember, there is also a possibility of its share of emissions increasing in the due to chiefly improved globalization and the increased adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles.
Hundreds of companies, such as Vertical Aerospace, Virgin Atlantic, and Elysian, are spearheading the race to electrify air transport.
Renewable Energy Storage Technologies
One of the detriments of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar is that their supply levels depend significantly on current weather conditions, which fluctuate periodically.
Hence, many companies are joining efforts to solve their intermittent supply issue. Renewable energy technologies rely on predictive algorithms such as AI and IoT to anticipate and better manage fluctuations in green power generation and transmission.
To point out, some fresh technological solutions include intelligent grid systems. There are also fresh solutions like AI-perfected batteries that allow for better energy storage from renewable sources.
Fresh Systems for Water Filtration and Desalination
According to World Vision, 1 out of every 10 people globally cannot access clean water. Some of the new causes of the global water crisis are climate change effects and the rapid scaling partnership of the human population.
Therefore, sustainable technological innovations to solve water scarcity are greatly welcomed. One such solution is using green energy sources to desalinate and purify water.
One company that has taken a global lead in implementing green technologies for desalination is Elemental Water Markers.
Carbon Sequestration and Storage
Studies show trees and forests are the best solutions for sequestering (nabbing) and storing carbon worldwide. The US Forest Service estimates that the forests in America store over 790 million tons of carbon yearly. That represents about 11% of the total annual emissions in the U.S.
Carbon dioxide, which trees naturally pull from the air we breathe, is a primary reactant (together with water) during photosynthesis in plants. That results in glucose, oxygen, and carbon. Wood ( trunks, leaves, stems, and roots) comprises about 50% carbon.
Trees also sequester and store carbon in the soil.
The best trees for absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) are oaks, American sweetgum, and the black walnut. Generally, the best trees for carbon offsetting are native species, have large canopies and leaves, grow fast, and have dense wood.
So, there is a need to plant more trees, including within the urban areas, and improve the total cover of forests to a healthy level for the planet.
Fresh technologies also help capture carbon dioxide generated from industrial facilities, such as those that make steel or cement. The captured carbon dioxide emissions are then transported and stored. Possible storage options in complete underground geological formations include saline aquifers and depleted gas/oil reservoirs.
A proposed site for the storage of captured carbon dioxide emissions is Britain’s Zero Carbon Humber. The name of the saline aquifer is Endurance. To make matters more complex, a important carbon dioxide emission storage site in America is the Citronelle Project in Alabama.
Green Constructions and Buildings
A UN Environment Programme study reports that the buildings and the construction sector account for nearly 38% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The production, transport, and use of materials like cement and steel yield a significant carbon footprint.
That is why there is a need to adopt green construction and building materials and technologies.
According to a study, over 46% of construction companies in America are planning on adopting green technologies in the next few years. Apple Park has one of the standout green buildings in the world.
Besides reducing CO2 emissions, Green constructions can also help save water use by over 35% and protect endangered wildlife species like birds and bees, especially in urban areas.
Green Phones
A study reports that about two-thirds of the human population (over 5 billion) own mobile phones. That number is expected to rise considerably as the human population surges.
The mass production of smartphones has made a important contribution to various environmental crises, such as water pollution and the destruction of forests like Venezuela’s Amazon.
To point out, coal is China’s most common energy source for industrial production, and it produces most electronic devices globally, new to high carbon emissions.
The manufacturing process accounts for almost 80% of a smartphone’s carbon footprint. That makes it the device with most important negative effect on the engagement zone.
Emissions also occur during the extraction, shipping, and production of chemical elements like copper, lithium, and mercury, which are required for making phones.
To reduce e-waste and the negative lasting results of smartphone production and use on the engagement zone, many companies are venturing into the creation of eco-friendly smartphones. Important enduring or eco-friendly smartphone brands are Fairphone and Teracube.
Internet of Things Application In Agricultural Crop Production
The Internet of Things technology in agriculture involves when you decide to use robots, sensors, drones, and computer systems that capture images of the farm and use discerning tools to create useful discoveries.
Applying the Internet of Things technology can confirm precison crop production. The business development can assist farmers monitor weather conditions and avoid excess use of fertilizer and pesticides on their farms and so if you really think about it reduce environmental damage.
What's more, when you decide to use IoT sensors and technology can help farmers perform exact watering of their lands, monitor the soil health and quality, and reduce agricultural waste.
Plastic Roads
The extraction of crude oil from the earth’s surface and its manufacturing to produce bitumen destroys habitats and causes environmental degradation, primarily through greenhouse gas emissions.
Like bitumen roads, research also shows that the whole life cycle of asphalt pavements and roads contributes important carbon emissions from production as a truth of use.
One sustainable technological innovation that promises to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation linked to road construction and maintenance is plastic roads. These roads can be made entirely of plastic or be a mixture of plastics and asphalt.
Plastic roads started appearing in India decades ago and now cover over 55,000 miles. They are also available in America and are increasingly appearing and covering more miles in other parts of the industry, such as Britain, the Philippines, Mexico, Ghana, and South Africa.
Experts say plastic roads last longer than conventional roads as they are sturdier. They can tolerate extreme temperature fluctuations and resist damage from water, cracks, and potholes.
More importantly, building plastic roads means employing the large volumes of plastic waste in landfills and oceans, such as the Pacific Ocean.
Robotic Bees
Although honey bees are small, they play a important role in nourishing our health and sustaining the biodiversity of our world.
They are responsible for pollinating most of the crops humans depend on for food, such as fruits, nuts, spices, and vegetables. Over 79% of flowering plants on earth require a pollinator to regenerate seeds or reproduce.
But, the bee population continues to decrease alarmingly across the United States and globally due to habitat loss, environmental contamination, diseases, and parasites.
A possible solution is when you decide to continue with robotic or mechanical bees. Robotic bees, such as the RoboBees developed by the Wyss Institute and the ones produced by BloomX, are already active to support vertical farms. They work like real bees.
Eka 1 & Eka 2 Seedlings
Palm oil is the major vegetable oil globally, with about 65 tons produced annually. It is commonly used in frozen pizzas, cleaning products and detergents, fuels, candles, body creams, and soaps.
As reported by Rainforest Rescue, oil palm plantations sit on over 26 million hectares of the earth’s surface. So, the production of palm oil is a main driver of deforestation.
To point out, in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, growing your oil palm plantations have led to big loss and damage to biodiversity-rich tropical forests.
A enduring business development that can reduce the expansion of palm oil plantations is when you decide to use new seeds named Eka 1 and Eka 2. These breakthrough seeds, developed by Golden Agri-Resources, deliver thrice the yields of conventional seeds per hectare.
So, the seeds discourage the increase in land use for palm oil production.
Green Cryptocurrencies
The Allied Market Research Project reports that the cryptocurrency market will triple by 2030. So, crypto miners will demand an immense amount of computational power, draining our energy sources. The Bitcoin market already consumes more power than countries like Pakistan and some Western countries like Finland.
Green cryptocurrencies are a enduring alternative to the energy-intensive mining process of long-established and accepted cryptocurrencies.
Green cryptocurrnces employ a process called Proof of Stake (PoS), which consumes less energy. Ehereum reports that after its adoption of the business development, its power consumtion has dropped by over 98%.
Conclusion
These and many other sustainable or green technological innovations have numerous potential advantages and should benefit from widespread adoption.
But, various obstacles in their use and adoption need to be solved first. These include the initial costs, regulatory hurdles, poor government priorities, and inadequate consumer awareness.
Author Name: John Kennedy Obiero
Short Author Bio: I love seeking and sharing knowledge. That’s why I have been a freelance writer for over four years and counting. I have written almost everything, from pets to health/medical, technology, education, and video marketing. In my free time, I play or watch football with friends. Other times, I check on the latest improvements humans make.
FAQs
1. What is “green technology,” and why is it important?
Green technology refers to innovations and practices designed to reduce the negative lasting results on the engagement zone. It includes technologies that help conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and promote sustainability. These technologies are necessary because they help soften the adverse effects of climate change, preserve ecosystems, and ensure the well-being of generations.
2. How do self-driving cars contribute to environmental sustainability?
Self-driving cars help reduce carbon emissions by employing less fuel and energy compared to long-established and accepted vehicles. These cars are often electric or hybrid, contributing less to pollution. Also, their intelligent systems improve routes, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and traffic congestion.
3. What is the function of hydrogen energy in enduring technology?
Hydrogen energy has immense possible as a clean, renewable energy source. When used in fuel cells, hydrogen produces only water and heat as by-products, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. It is being explored for various applications, including powering vehicles and creating or producing electricity.
4. What is floating solar technology, and how does it benefit the engagement zone?
Floating solar systems are solar panels installed on bodies of water, such as lakes or reservoirs. These systems save land space and can help cool solar cells, improving efficiency. Also, they help reduce water evaporation from reservoirs and contribute to water conservation efforts in areas facing drought.
5. How can biodegradable food packaging help combat plastic waste?
Biodegradable and edible food packaging offers a enduring alternative to single-use plastics. These innovations are made from natural materials like silk protein or cellulose, which break down naturally, reducing environmental lasting results and contributing to the reduction of plastic pollution.
