Dissertation: THE TRUTH BEHIND GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

THE TRUTH BEHIND GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

By:

Code:

Professor:

University:

 City:

Date:

Abstract

The pivotal reason of this research is to give the reader knowledge about greet technology. In this case, the reader is expected to know the past, present, and future beforehand. This research was completed through intensive research. Main sources are from web sources due to the contemporary nature of the topic. The main goal is to give the reader a piece of clear information that is not often talked of. In the conclusion of this thesis, I reiterated on the problems of electronic wastes and how people do not realize. Though there is much hope that the environment and the things in it will be within individual control.

The reader will be given a clear picture of technology and be allowed to see things differently from how they stand. Secondly, the aim of this paper is to let the reader have a piece of deep historical knowledge on our growing dependency on traditional fuels such coal and oil that pollute the environment. The reader is expected to have a little knowledge of technology, this paper will give a background on greener lifestyle and informed decisions on why it is important. The reader will see the different picture on the significance of green technology in place of the current pollutants.

The final parts of this research paper will reflect on the possible solutions that can be implemented and applied in individual homes.

Keywords: green technology, sustainability, environmental problems, fossil fuels

The Truth Behind Green Technologies

Introduction

Technology has been defined by Tarng et al. (2012, 323), as the application of knowledge on practical issues. In this case, green technology encompasses the use of technology with a sole purpose to help us reduce the impact that humans have on the environment, by this, a sustainable development ensues. Many key parameters are involved in ensuring there is an application of green technology; the include, social equitability, economic feasibility, and sustainability (Tarng et al., 2012, 324). In today’s world, the environment is jetting towards irreversible damage of the planet. Actions being pulled by human beings contribute largely to the ecological landslide whose destruction might be inevitable.

Green technology is one of the many approaches that can be implemented towards saving the earth. Merits and demerits are therefore worth investigations. As Gollin et al. (2015, 1310) suggest, green technology is well known for using renewable energy, this is that which cannot be depleted. This is the innovativeness that is employed in the utility of green technology. Among the branches of green technology include the green nanotechnology that is described by Gollin et al. (2015, 1310) as that which uses green engineering and green chemistry. The researcher argues that an important factor in the pollution of the environment is waste disposal. Green technology serves that as well.

Some of the important sectors that are expected to employ this type of technology include green building constructions, eco-friendly textiles, organic agriculture and so forth (Tarng et al. This is a new industry, researchers anticipate that it is going to attract very new consumers who will rely on the merits of utilizing this technology in their homes and offices. Other diverse forms that green technology also addresses include the use of solar power. Since they have no adverse effects on the environment it is expected that it will benefit future generations without harming the environment. This paper researches on the advantages of green technology and some of the benefits that have been accrued from it.

Green technology products include solar panels that have been installed in houses, offices, apartments and commercial buildings (Tarng et al., 2012, 325). These technologies utilize sustainable energy from the sun instead of the traditional gas, national grid or generator. Thermal heating disks have also been introducing, they function by tapping solar energy and provide a heating solution that would have otherwise be offered by fossil fuels.

Research question: What is the impact of green technology?

A brief history of Green technology

            The use of green technology has a deep history back then. Green technology may seem like a very new concept that many people are not so much aware of. Though green technology has been around for thousands of years (Gallangher et al., 2015, 3). For instance, the wind was used to carry ships over water over 7000 years ago by Egyptians. The sources of renewable energy in those days included human labor, water and animal power, firewood and wind.

In the early 1800s irrigation was powered by wind turbines. This can be proved by an 1830 book by John Etzler who passionately talked about a great city that is being run by wind and solar power. In early 1860 when fossil fuels had just started being used, people feared that It would run out. They thought that a time would come when industries in urban Europe would stop seeing the significance of natural resources. They thought that the continued use of fossil fuels such as petroleum and coals would late be exhaustible and diminish. Many scholars suggested that man would later turn back to water and wind. The fear expounded on the need to migrate from fossil fuels to renewable technology. Currently, we are so dependent on these fuels that we are reluctant to switch to alternative energies.

Wind power that is being recommended to be used now in 2019 has been existent since the 5000 B.C. they were used to propel boats and they are still in use right now. The power that is being remitted by wind turbines has been proven to be equally as good as they were thousands of years back.

Thermal energy comes from geothermal energy. It is stored beneath the earth. The certainty of its lifespan is not accurate. Some geothermal locations have been used to heat homes and as hot springs. Currently, it is a source of energy.

According to researchers Gallangher et al. (2011, 12), solar power which is considered new technology, is viewed as complex and expensive. The solar energy is being widely used in homes. The power can be stored or sold. The sun has been present for millions of years. It is very certain that the energy from the sun rays has been used for various activities including farming, baking and also heating. Solar power has been used widely back in 1940 in homes such as California (Gallangher et al., 2011, 13). It became the main source of power in the dates of 1970 to 1985. Increased demand for solar powers led to the manufacturing company diversifying to heating machines with the intention of widening the manufacturing industry. Unfortunately, prices increasingly went up making consumers find alternative options (Gallangher et al., 2011, 13). Gas heaters were existent in the south of California. This was due to the plenty presence of natural gas. This is what contributed to the death of solar panels due to the relativity in prices. 

Types of green technology products

            As Billatos (2007, 46) and Najjar (2013, 1716) argue, these products are those which impact awareness of the environment when used. Their main aim is the reduction of waste and cut pollution. More significantly, they diminish the utility of fossil fuels. Major types of green technology products vary from energy creation products to green chemicals to sustainable products. They aim to create an alternative technology such as solar panels and thermal heating disks. Solar panels are used in our homes which are being used instead of the traditional methods such as gas. Thermal heating disks are used in swimming pools by sucking sun rays and radiating them on the pool surface. This provides alternative heating methods instead of the use of fossil fuels.

Green chemicals are significant in green technology products (Billatos, 2007, 47 ). They aim to create the same chemical effects such as toxicity without raising the risks of poisoning and environmental pollution (Najjar 2013, 1728). Green chemical products include cleaning agents used at homes such as coconut, glycerin, and insecticides that use sustainable oil instead of toxic chemicals. Recyclable sustainable products ensure that it is easier to be used by humans and is efficient for the environment (Billatos 2007, 49). These products may also include cell phones that are made from scrap metal and plastics.

Impact of green technology

The continued advancement of the world and human lives have constantly affected the basic needs of people. Due to the tremendous needs, there is an arousal of problems that include pollution, climate change, and global warming (Najjar 2013, 1728). Green technologies are expected to get rid of such problems and introduce a healthier environment for future generations. As defined above, green technology protects the earth from environmental pollutions (Gallangher et al., 2011, 13). It ensures there is conservation of environment and the organisms cohabiting within it.

Currently, many regulations are being set globally. The government of various nations recognizes the need for using green technology. Najjar (2013, 1739) asserts that in Malaysia, a leading environmental technological center conducts research with the intention of developing sophisticated sustainable technologies that will be pivotal in national economic growth. This is having significant ways to mitigate climate change and ensure there is a clean environment.

Goals of green technology

Sustainability-this is where needs of the society can proceed to the future indefinitely with no depletion of natural resources.

“Cradle to cradle” design is where manufactured products can be reused and reclaimed

Source reduction-this is where waste and pollution can be reduced by changing the production patterns

Innovation is where alternatives to technologies can be developed. The developed technologies should ensure there is a healthy environment.

Viability is where there is the creation of technologies and products that entirely benefit the environment. A number of subjects are involved in green technology areas. They will be discussed in this paper. They include

The energy which is the most urgent issue. The generation of energy has to encompass alternative fuels

Green building. This is where the choice of building materials to the place where the building is located encompasses everything safety and viability.

Green chemistry. This is where the invention and design of chemical products eliminate the use of hazardous substances.

Green nanotechnology- this is the design of chemical products that favor the conservation of the environment

            The international market has been confirmed to be the biggest beneficiary of green technology, this is according to Cohen et al. (2015, 1235). The researchers suggest that the market of this type of technology will increase significantly, this includes the global demand for the installations and fittings of these technologies. The CNN compounded research that gave the market a big value in case the demand outgrows. They suggested that apart from the growth of around 10 percent which stands for $300 billion in 2016 to $530.7 billion in 2017, the demand of heat and power devices would significantly increase to $95 billion in coming years as compared to the total sales of around $60 billion in 2017. They also suggested that the waste to energy fitting and installation would shoot to around 23 percent in 2017 as compared to 18 percent in 2016, this stands for growth of $35.6 billion in 2016 to $53.4 billion in 2017.

            Researcher Cohen et al. (2015, 1241) stated that from the years 1980 to 2015 green technology can account for a provision of approximately $865 billion to the global market alone. This amount is similar to the revenues of airplanes and computer companies in leading nations such as Japan, USA, and the European Union (Cohen et al., 2015, 1258). Eco-innovation which is a summit that deals with the sustainability of the environment for global change gave a prediction that global markets would make a significant gain to around $1,950 billion by 2020. Cohen et al. (2015. 1250), suggests that the Southern-Southern trade which has significantly risen in corporate exports and imports has improved the opportunities that imply an increase in the exportation of green technology. This means that there will be a significant increase in revenues and green jobs.

            According to the World Bank report (2015), nations such as Thailand, Pakistan, India, and Malaysia have been deemed successful in the frequent exportations of green technology devices. Let us take China as an example. In 2012 alone, China made exportation of water treatment, pollution control and renewable technologies that raked revenues amounting to $12.9 billion (World Bank report, 2015). This is a clear indication that the green technology business is expanding considerably.

            The impacts of green technology may not be mentioned without counting on the environment. The sustainability to which it helps to protect removes the threats that pollutants pose to the environment (Hall et al., 2013, 33). Let’s take the example of cars in this case. There are about 900 million cars around the globe currently, these cars consume gas fuels that amount to about 190 billion gallons annually. Moreover, 26 pounds of carbon gases are being released in the atmosphere of every gallon of gas. According to transportation specialists, cars that are not designed to be energy efficient have contributed to the emission of around 49 percent of carbon emission to the environment. as a result, automobile companies such as Toyota, Peugeot, and BMW began the manufacturing of hybrid motor vehicles so as to execute green technology. Hybrid vehicles are designed to emit about 90 percent lesser carbon and save about 215 gallons of gas fuels annually, moreover, the car batteries should last for about 10 or more years.

            Non-renewable sources of energy can be prevented by using hybrid vehicles as an alternative (Hall et al., 2013, 35). Hybrid cars save about 215 gallons of gas fuels annually. Besides, hybrid cars use lesser amounts of gas fuels such as gasoline (Hall et al., 2013, 41). According to research engineers from Connecticut University, they emit fewer gas fuels and carbon gases to the atmosphere. This leads to relatively, cleaner and breathable air. Breathable air helps in the prevention of respiratory diseases such as asthma (Hall et al., 2013, 51). Moreover, hybrid cars help to reduce noise pollutions in the environment. This is due to the availability of electrical mode that makes it more silent as compared to the traditional gasoline consumption automobiles. Therefore, it is worth noting that green technology brings along it a number of benefits such as the prevention of acidic rains, global warming, and noise pollution.

            As discussed above, hybrid cars reduce the number of Carbon gases that are emitted in the atmosphere. This prevents acid rainfall and global warming. According to researchers, carbon dioxide reacts with rain to produce acidic rain. These acidic conditions greatly impact sea life; this is due to the reduction of the pH of the waters in the sea. Researchers assume that this acidic water is additionally not suitable for plants, therefore it ends up corroding plant leaves and stems. Moreover, it contributes to the contamination of water that ends up affecting humans and animals that drink of it. When carbon gas emissions are reduced, the acidity of water reduces as well. This protects wildlife and human beings. Carbon dioxide has also been recognized by the World Health Organization to contribute to the high amounts of greenhouse effects. This also increases the impacts of global warming.  

The effect of technology on the environment

            The never-ending quest for fossil fuels has changed how the environment is. The causal effects range along the way to threats of extinction of many species of organisms. For instance, statistics by the Wildlife Conservancy of Congo suggested that there are only 600 mountain gorillas that are left in the world, 200 exist in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga forest. Unfortunately, oil concessions have ensured that close to 90 percent of the park has been allocated for exploration. The loss of habitat and degradation, the exploitation and climate change that accompanies it is one of the many threats that are facing the biodiversity of the world. According to statistics by the United Nations, they have considerably contributed to the decline of the living planet index by 50 percent since 1980. This means that half the number of mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, and reptiles have been reduced by a significant half.

 Annually, over 18 billion pounds of the garbage get their way into the world ocean, this is according to statistics by the Princeton University. The plastic becomes toxic for aquatic animals, especially marine life. The resultant declination of the environment has led to millions of decisions being made without consideration of their effects on the world. The blame may be directed to poor governance and shallow policies that only focus on the economy. 

Applications of Green Technology in today’s Life

Reusable water bottles.

There is an increased sale of water bottles in the recent past. Water is healthy. Reducing plastic waste can be so impactful for the environment. Reusable water bottles can be considered, they should be water friendly and green.

Solar water heater

Installation of solar water heaters cuts down on the energy costs. Solar water heaters increase the efficiency of heating systems as well as the expenses to be used.

Rainwater harvesting systems.

Rain collector systems are significant in storing rainwater.

Solar array

A solar cell is known to convert energy in light to electrical energy by photovoltaic. This means that the consumption of fossil fuels is less thus reduced pollution.

Building with Green technology

Green buildings have a great impact on the environment. Natural ventilation, solar designs, and green roofing may allow builders and engineers to construct a structure that is having a lesser carbon. They benefit the environment and moreover, they are beautiful and attractive buildings. Green ventilation involves opening spaces and having natural airflow.

How to make your home greener?

Changing lifestyle may be so difficult for many of us. But actually, it is one of the easiest considering that green lifestyle changes everything from the environment to health.

Some of the considerations include:

Not littering around your property.

Not buying plastic encased things

Purchasing clothes made of natural fibers

Using cloth napkins instead of paper napkins

Reusing scrap paper.

Buying officially certified eco-friendly products

Buying organic items

Using reusable containers and bags

Checking leaky pipes

Improving house insulation

Using air-dry laundry

Purchasing electric/hybrid cars

Going paperless.

Repurposing old technology

Using LED, CFL or any other recommended long-lasting bulbs

Recycling, selling or giving away old devices

Using eco-friendly cleaning products.

Banning non-reusable containers

There are various upcoming technological innovations that will ensure sustainability.

E-waste

There have been many arguments on how technology should be disposed of. 

Why is there a demand for energy?

There has been a global demand for energy for the past ten years. Between 2005 and 2030, it is projected that energy demands would increase from 15 billion tons of oil to 20 billion tons. Oil coal and gas has been the primary energy being consumed on a global scale (Bohi, 2013, 78). The world population is increasingly enlarging. In 2020, the projection is expected to be at around 7 billion with the projection increasing to around 10 billion by 2050. The growth has been recorded mainly in the developing nations in Africa which will contribute to 50 percent of the population. 

The growing demand and increased standard for living in many of these developing countries place an even bigger demand for energy resources. Apparently, over 70 percent of the increased energy demand is from nations such as China and India which are developing at a very fast rate (Bohi, 2013, 79). The advancement in technology being experienced in these nations places a high requirement in energy. The more wealth being contributed to the more populations’ desire for consumer goods. Thus, consumer goods end up being the largest consumers of energy (Bohi, 2013, 86). This energy comes from very traditional sources such as coal and gas. 

Since the demand for energy is on the rise on a global scale, developed nations tend to be the largest consumers, whereas, developing nations also increase their consumptions. The consumption per head is one reliable indicator that shows how the economy is increasing on a country level (Palensky et al., 2011, 381). Well-developed service and manufacturing industries, efficient transport and people who work have a very high demand for energy (Bohi, 2013, 83). For instance, in Canada and the US, consumption per head is twice that of Europe and more than 900 times that of developing nations. Energy consumption is recorded to be very high in developed nations and nations that have a high population (Palensky et al., 2011, 382). This is because there is a higher density of industries and increased rates of car ownership with a high domestic utility with home filled appliances.

These developing countries have been recorded to be facing a very big energy challenge in the 21st century. The urge to meet the basic demands of a billion people who still lack basic amenities and modern energy services participates in the global transition to clean low carbon energy systems (Palensky et al., 2011, 387).  According to the world bank report 2016, the population that lives on below a dollar daily has fallen from 2 billion in 2015 to 1.7billion in 2016. The report further suggests that emissions from these developing countries are growing at a rapid rate and thus, contributing to the environmental problems that include climate change, and reduced air quality. The health of the people is therefore put in dire risk especially in poorer countries. The World Health Organization has approximated that around 3 billion individuals use traditional biomass that includes firewood, charcoal for heating and cooking. This is the predominant reliance that developing nations have for some more decades that come.

Energy shortages in developed countries can cause severe havoc. For instance, in Iraq, after the war, there was an electricity shortage that severely destabilized the government and energy production. These resulted in protests and conflicts. According to the June 2016 report by the African Progress Panel, there are over 700 million people in Africa who still are not accessed on modern energy methods. They predict that by around 2080, every African will be accessed to reliable and constant electricity.

Nonrenewable energy

            There is an increased global need for energy and alternative energy needs. Solar energy and wind energy have been the traditional sources that have made progress ever since (Long et al., 2015, 680). Alternative energy has been a very interesting concept that is expected to replace traditional methods such as fossil fuels, coal, oil, and natural gas (Long et al.., 2015, 680). These are the sources of energy that have been relied on for energy, fueling of automobiles and heating.

Fossil fuels are non-renewable. Their reserve is totally limited, thus, they are on the verge of depletion (Long et al., 2015, 684). They are formed from the residues of plants and animals that lived for over one hundred million years ago and were buried beneath the soil where they underwent transformation to flammable material that are presently being used as fuel (Long et al., 2015, 686). These deposits existed in the Cambrian period around 700 million years ago (Tugcu et al., 2012, 1942). This is way before dinosaurs came into the picture. After many years, these animal groups transformed into lignite oil that formed in the late 5 million years in the Pliocene period (Tugcu et al., 2012, 1943). With high rates of consumption, these fuels can never form fast enough to meet our existing demand for energy.

These traditional methods are well established and make civilization to run smoothly.

Coal

 This is a very hard rock that gets burnt into solid fuel. It is a carbon that contains hydrogen, Sulphur, and oxygen (Tugcu et al., 2012, 1949). It is a non-renewable type of fuel which supplies electricity into many nations across the US. Its generated from the decomposed plants that have accumulated at the  bottom of swamps hundreds of millions of years ago after they were continuously heated and pressurized (Long et al., 2015). Coal mines in the US contribute to the production of one-fourth of the coal worldwide. Most coal in the US is produced in the three major regions that include; western, interior and Appalachian regions. Wyoming is one of the leading states in coal production. It is used as one of the means that produce electrical power and produces materials that include plastic, steel, and tar.

Disadvantages

When coal is burnt, it produces carbon dioxide. Coal is the single cause of global warming contributing to acid rains and smog (Long et al., 2015). Burning of coal releases very toxic chemicals that include soot, mercury, carbon dioxide that is cancerous and asthmatic to both humans and animals. Coal mining, especially at the mountain tops, leads to the damage of areas that destroy natural habitats. Additionally, burning coal may produce toxic coal ash which is drained to oceans leading to the death of many marine organism and aquatic animals.

Natural gas

            This is a hydrocarbon that occurs naturally. it consists of building blocks such as methane and higher amounts of alkanes. It is formed after large amounts of plants and animal matter is exposed to very intense heats and pressure from the underneath for millions of years. It is the main energy source that is used for heating, cooking and generation of electricity.

This is a non-renewable fuel that is used to do many things. Almost a quarter of the energy in the united states is produced from the natural gas. It can be used to heat homes, fuel for stoves, and to run water heaters and many other appliances (Long et al., 2015). Natural gas can also be used to produce materials that include bricks and explosives. This has been looked forward as the most efficient alternative fuels source for transportation.

Disadvantages

Natural gas leaks to the atmosphere during its extraction, storage and transportation. The leak rate is so high that it jeopardizes its global warming advantage over coal.

Nuclear energy

 Also known as nuclear power, this is the use of nuclear reactions that release nuclear energy for the generation of heat. Nuclear power can be obtained from nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion reactions (Tugcu et al., 2012, 1950). Electricity from nuclear power is produced from uranium and plutonium. It is a nonrenewable. Its atoms have to be split so as to release energy.

A specific type of uranium is used to produce energy. The uranium is known as U-235 due to its ease in the splitting of atoms (Long et al., 2015). Canada is the largest exporter of uranium that is used in the US. During energy production, no carbon dioxide is produced. However, the radioactive waste damages the environment and is a hazardous to the health of humans and animals.

Disadvantages

The radioactive waste that comes from nuclear power plants is a complete threat to plant and humans. Or instance, there are still devastating effects of the Chernobyl disaster. This is where there were grave effects on humans. Historians claim that over 30,000 people died in the disaster and over 2.5 million Ukrainians are still dealing with the health tribulations that were caused by nuclear waste. The environmental impact was disastrous and people who live in the nuclear plants face a higher risk of nuclear radiations.

Radioactive waste is any material whether solid, gas or liquid that has radioactive nuclear substances (Long et al., 2015). Operators of nuclear plants confer that it is a waste. Radioactive material is considered a waste when it spends over 3yrs producing heat and electricity (Long et al., 2015). The waste comes from nuclear reactors should either be disposed or stored safely to prevent radiations this is because it is able to produce radioactive emissions that may last for thousands of years.

Oil

It consists of hydrocarbons. They are formed when zooplanktons and algae in large quantities are buried under the earth and subjected to heat and pressure (Tugcu et al., 2012, 2015). Crude oil is famously known as petroleum. After it is drilled, it undergoes refinement and separation through distillation into end products that include gasoline, kerosene and chemical reagents that can be used in the manufacture of plastics, pesticide, and pharmaceuticals. Scientists estimate that people consume around 100 million barrels a day.

Gasoline is used as a fuel for both personal vehicles, jets, and trucks (Tugcu et al., 2012, 1952). Some of the products of petroleum include ink, crayons ammonia, and bubble gum. Refining petroleum and producing products that use petroleum lead to the emission of chemical gases that causes acid rainfall. Due to this, many regulations have been enacted so as to reduce the emission of oil production with the purpose of protecting the environment.

Disadvantages

Ocean acidification is the increase in the acidity of the earth oceans due to the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The acidity inhibits marine life and has a very great impact on small organisms.

When petroleum is burnt it releases carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas. Oil has been confirmed by researchers to be the largest contributor to atmospheric carbon dioxide. This leads to the rise in temperature and thus global warming.

Crude oil and fuel spills have damaged the ecosystem in many nations. Oil spills at the sea have been confirmed to be more hazardous than those in the land because they spread for thousands of miles causing the coating of oil. This may end up killing mammals, sea animals and other organisms that get coated. Control of oil spills is often very difficult.

Renewable Energy

            Renewable energy is that which is only replenished by nature (Twidel et al., 2015). They use the sun, wind, water and earth heat into productive energy forms. Currently, humanity depends largely on fossil fuels that will eventually be depleted. Renewable energy is often called clean and green because it produces new pollutants (Twidel et al., 2015). Burning of fossil fuels, however, bring about greenhouse gases into the atmosphere that later on turn out to global warming.

Hydropower

This is the most mature form of electricity production in many nations. It uses a dam that collects large reservoirs of water. The water is then used to generate power. These turbines generate no gases that affect the quality of water and wildlife. Therefore, hydropower is being designed to have the most minimized impact on the river

Geothermal electricity. As Twidell et al., (2015) argue, geothermal power plants hot water from the under of the earth. The hot water is channeled from the conventional steam turbine which then powers the electric generator. There are various types of geothermal power plants: dry steam plants which generate their energy from steam, flash steam plants which use water at temperatures that are greater than 360 Fahrenheit.

Environmental Impact

Inasmuch as hydropower does not pollute the environment, it has a number of environmental impacts. For instance, some of the hydroelectric dams have a reserve. These structures may deter fish from migrating and thus, affecting their population (Twidell et al., 2015). Moreover, these dams have been confirmed to change water temperatures and river flow. This harms plants and animals in the rivers and land as well.

Too much water is stored in a reservoir, therefore, this can lead to the drying of rivers. These reservoirs also have large amounts of sediments and nutrients, this cultivates excess algae and aquatic weeds.

Since reservoirs need enough land, relocating of people may be done. Moreover, flooding land for the hydroelectric reservoir may have a detrimental impact on the environment (Twidell et al., 2015). It destroys wildlife habitats, forests, agricultural lands, and scenic land.

Global warming emission is produced after the installation and dismantling of the plants. The emissions largely vary with the size of the dams. Methane is also one of the gases that end up being produced as a strong greenhouse gas. After the flooding of the area installed with the hydroelectric power plant, the plants and soil decomposes and thus release carbon dioxide and methane.

Solar energy.

This is light or heat from the sun that is harnessed through various technological methods that include, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture, and solar heating (Lewis, 2007, 798). It is a very important source of renewable energy and is associated to both passive and active solar. Active solar energy involves utility of photovoltaics and solar water heating to tap energy. Passive solar techniques include the arrangement of a building towards the sun. There are no special devices that are being used.

Solar energy can be used to heat water for one’s home. The water heating systems include mounting of a roof in the direction of the sun so as to heat water or transfer fluid such as nontoxic antifreeze (Lewis, 2007, 801. The hot water will be stored in tanks the amount of water depends on the system size, the radiation energy and the properness of the installation.

Solar electricity is also known as photovoltaic technology. It converts sunlight directly to electricity.

Environmental Impact

Photovoltaic cells are designed using very toxic materials and chemicals. These solar thermal systems are potentially hazardous and a leak of these materials may become so hazardous and harmful to the environment (Lewis, 2007, 801). Large solar power plants may have environmental effects near their locations. When land is cleared for constructions it may have long term impact on the living organisms that natively lived there. Lewis (2007, 801) argues that some solar systems will require cooling of their generators, the use of large volumes water which may affect ecosystems that depend on these water resourced.

Finally, beams of lights that are concentrated from the solar power towers organisms that fly into the beam.

Wind energy

According to the European Wind Energy Association (2009), wind energy is the use of airflow through wind turbines to generate power that turns electric generators. For hundreds of years, people have used this type of energy. Today’s wind turbines are more efficient than windmills that were used traditionally (European Wind Energy Association, 2009). This type of energy is clean and produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operations. The variability of power is consistent from year to year it is therefore used with alternative power sources so as to give a reliable power source. The environmental effect here is very minor. While a wind farm may cover large areas of land, many agricultural lands are comfortable with it.

Environmental impacts

The impact of wind turbines has been effectively researched by the European Wind Energy Association (2009). They attest that birds and bats die due to collisions caused by the spinning turbines and due to the air pressure that is caused by the spinning turbines.

Tidal power

This is a is a type of hydropower that converts energy from ocean tides into electricity (Catlin et al., 2009). Tides have been determined by researchers to be more predictable than wind.  Amongst the other sources of renewable energy, tidal energy is faced with challenges that include relatively high cost and limited availability of potential sites with good and sufficient tidal ranges (Catlin et al., 2009). This constricts availability.

Tidal power comes in form of thermal energy and mechanical energy from tides and waves.

Thermal energy from oceans may be applied in electricity generations. The electricity water to turn a turbine that activates a generator (Catlin et al., 2009). The conversions require mechanical devices. In this case, a dam, is used to convert the energy into electricity by passing the water into the turbines.

Environmental concerns

Tidal powers have a greater impact on marine life as argued by US Patent holders Catlin et al., (2009). The researchers argue that the tidal blades can accidentally kill swimming sea animals with the rotating blades. Major losses have been caused because aquatic animals pass through the turbine blades. Some fish species may not utilize the area due to the constant noises made from rotating objects. The blade strike moreover increases the chances of the organisms to be pushed further away or through these devices. It can also reduce water quality and disrupt sediment processes

Tidal barrage may also prove to be a huge concern. Installing the tidal blades change the shoreline (Catlin et al., 2009). This inhibits the flow of water in and out of the bay and less salt water. This results in the death of fish which act as food sources to birds and mammals. Moreover, migrating fishes may be unable to access breeding streams and attempt to pass through the turbines (Catlin et al., 2009). Tidal barrage has also decreased shipping abilities thus leading to socio-economic chaos due to lack of passage.

Emerging technologies in energy production

According to statistics by the World Population Plan of Action 2018, the human population in the world is already 7billion. According to projection, the numbers could exceed 10 billion by 2060. The rising populace is coupled with environmental challenges thus putting a strain on energy resources.

The entry of the industrial age has dawned into sophisticated technologies. The 20th century was famous for petroleum, but this changed after the year 2000 (Wang et al., 2018, 2403). There have been the desires to curb emission and bring along renewables from wind to solar to biomass which dynamically has altered the fuel industry. The following are some of the emerging tech-fuels

Microbial fuel cells

Since bacteria around us is harmful, there are those that are beneficial (Logan, 2008). Since they all breath, there is biological oxidation that takes place thus release of electrons (Logan, 2008). Through the connection of these microbes on the cathode and anode, electrons flow through them and thus, power is generated. As Logan (2008) argues, MFCs generate electricity from waste water

Betavoltaics

Nuclear materials are in constant decaying process, thus emission of radioactive particles (Spencer et al., 2013). The radioactive materials are very dangerous and proper storage is advised, though it is expensive (Spencer et al., 2013). These wastes can have a utility. Beta voltaic devices use these wastes from radioactive materials to acquire electrons and produce power. Power produced can be very important when nuclear decay is long lasting (Spencer et al., 2013). Since they are not designed to work on a large scale, they have a longevity factor that makes them the most ideal power sources. With continued improvements, researchers Spencer et al., (2013), believe that Betavoltaics devices could generate about one watt of power continuously for 30yrs.

Flexible generators

Solid devices convert heat into electricity without moving parts. Thermoelectric generators are made from inorganic semiconductors (Fan et al., 2012, 328). They are flexible and have low thermal conductivity. This quality enables them to high their performances and enables them to operate without cooling which may reduce production costs

Concentrating solar power technology

This involves using special mirrors to focus radiation into a special receiver that capture the sunlight then convert them into solar power that’s used for heating and electricity generation (Lovegrove et al., 2012). This is the most promising green power technology

Floating Wind Turbines

Floating Wind turbines is a commercial operating device that is aimed to unlock the wind power at the offshore of deeper waters which are often steadier and stronger (Buttersfield et al., 2007). Unlike the offshore wind turbines that demand the construction of concrete bases, floating wind turbines will be anchored along the seabed with just a few cables in use.

Printable organic solar cells

This could revolutionize the photovoltaic solar power generation using the semiconductor inks that are pointed into flexible stretchable thin plastics or steel (Ahlswede et al., 2008, 127).  The researchers allege that these organic solar cells can be printed into irregular surfaces that are exposed to the sun and built into construction materials directly.

Biomass gasification technology for power generation

The conversion of biomass into gas has emerged as one mean that converts abundant biomass wastes into clean efficient electrical energy (Molino et al., 10). This involves a gasifier system that converts solid waste into clean gas by thermochemical procedures that involve a number of steps that include; drying, pyrolysis and gasification.

Green transport

Also known as sustainable transport, this is a transport system that has a positive sense of social, environmental and climate impact (Elvik, 2009, 849). Transportation sustainability can also be measured as part of the effectiveness and efficiencies in environmental impact in the ecosystem. Green transport systems have a positive sustainability contribution in the communities they serve (Elvik, 2009, 849). Transport systems are in existence to give the much needed socio-economic connections and increases mobility.

Transport systems may have a pivotal impact, they account for about 30 percent of worlds energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions (Curtis et al., 2016). This comes directly from fuel. Road transport has been confirmed to be the largest contributor to local air pollution and smog (Curtis et al., 2016). The United Nation estimates that around 2.4million premature deaths are caused by outdoor pollutions. This is particulate on black carbon emissions that bring respiratory effects and are carcinogenic.

The social costs of transport range from accidents, physical activities and air pollution (Curtis et al., 2016). Transport systems are emitters of greenhouse gases. Currently, about 90 percent of transport energy comes from petroleum.

Green transportation is that type which does not affect the environment negatively (Sandhu et al., 2016)). This transportation field has grown in the recent past due to the expensive petrol and gas. This type of transportation includes walking, cycles, car sharing, electric bikes and scooters (Sandhu et al., 2016). The researchers add that green vehicles run on wind, hydrogen, solar. Green transport is very important in the modern world where there is a depleting environment due to gas and petrol.

Importance of green transportation

Green transportation like cycling, walking and using car sharing has been described as that which helps to save money that would have been spent on gas or petrol.

Fossil fuels pose a very significant environmental threat. The fumes from vehicles are hazardous to the environment. When people consume polluted gases or water, there is an increased chance that they will contract asthma or cancer. Switching to green transportation helps to save these types of misfortunes.

Green transportation is very important since it saves he burden of earth natural resources These fuels take a lot of years to replenish and soon they run out.

Is green technology really green?

Green technology has proven to be more dependent than the other one. From traditional renewable energy like wind, solar there is alternative renewable energy (Black, 2010). Renewable energy simply denotes that it is a clean energy system that doesn't contribute to any forms of greenhouse gas emission and climate change. This is not the case; this paper is about to unmask the dark sides of renewables.

For instance, hydropower; the global market for hydropower is expanding over the years as the most efficient and popular clean energy (Black, 2010). The research could look interesting, controversies on hydro powers and its environmental concern issues are presenting a compounding fact. Deforestation and flooding of large spaces of rainforest for mega hydro dams’ has received much criticism (Sperling, 2013). Deforestation is responsible for about 20 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions. This is more than human activities combined together.

Mega hydro dams have led to the flooding of rainforests that has triggered cataclysm (Yuksel, 2009). The slow decay of rich organic rainforest matter consumes oxygen This leads to deprivation of oxygen and high water acidity. The results include poor water quality. Furthermore, incidences of health complications are on the rise and even animal death and extinction as far as 100km away from the mega dam sites (Yuksel, 2009). Mega hydro dams have been controversial, due to the continued displacements of the oldest and indigenous communities in the rainforests (Yuksel, 2009). There is a growing legal dispute over the indigenous land encroachments.

Conclusion

The study above has explained to us why energy efficiency brings optimisms to the future. The world is moving towards energy sustainability at a faster rate.  While that is happening, mankind is one the verge of establishments of the connections it once had with the future. An energy efficient nation is the first step towards the path of renewable energy, environmental protection, and sustainable living. Energy efficiency also means that there is a healthier and more comfortable living in line with nature. 

the study has covered the different aspect of green technology from production to consumption. The aims of this type of technology have been explained as pollution prevention and control and also remediation and restoration. This is where the track on the condition of the environment is highly measured. Thus, prevention technologies such as green technology avoid the production of environmentally hazardous substances or change how humans live in their ecosystems. This encompasses the design and product substitution of the entire energy production process to new ecofriendly equipment. Apparently, the remediation and restoration technologies are designed to improve the conditions of the ecosystem through naturally and anthropogony.

The important factors of environmental pollution were waste disposal. The study has explained how traditional energy methods have contributed to the hazardous living conditions currently. This ranges from acidic rainfalls to greenhouse effects to flooding and destruction of the soil topology. Green technology has given a solution to all that. It has effectively changed the waste pattern and production into a more environmentally friendly status. These are some of the approaches that have been explained by the research as part of directives towards saving the world.

Consumer demands for green technology have risen over the years. Spectrums of products that are covered by these provisions are highly on the growth scale. In this case, the demand is on the products that reduce energy consumption. Moreover, a growing number of the population is getting convinced by the need to support environmental sustainability. The green in technological products is now being installed in R&D phases, with operations now in less energy and promoting end-of0life recycling. Therefore, in terms of environmental sustainability, the technology industries are embracing the forthcoming changes.

References

Ahlswede, E., Mühleisen, W., bin Moh Wahi, M.W., Hanisch, J. and Powalla, M., 2008. Highly efficient organic solar cells with printable low-cost transparent contacts. Applied Physics Letters, 92(14), p.127.

Billatos, S., 2007. Green technology and design for the environment. CRC Press.p47-89

Bohi, D.R., 2013. Analyzing demand behavior: a study of energy elasticities. RFF Press.p.46-90

Butterfield, S., Musial, W., Jonkman, J. and Sclavounos, P., 2007. Engineering challenges for floating offshore wind turbines (No. NREL/CP-500-38776). National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States).

Catlin, C.S., Catlin Christopher S, 2009. River and tidal power harvester. U.S. Patent 7,492,054.

Cohen, M.C., Lobel, R., and Perakis, G., 2015. The impact of demand uncertainty on consumer subsidies for green technology adoption. Management Science, 62(5), pp.1235-1258.

Curtis, C. and Low, N., 2016. Institutional barriers to sustainable transport. Routledge.

Elvik, R., 2009. The non-linearity of risk and the promotion of environmentally sustainable transport. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 41(4), pp.849-855.

European Wind Energy Association, 2009. The economics of wind energy. EWEA.

Fan, F.R., Tian, Z.Q. and Wang, Z.L., 2012. Flexible triboelectric generator. Nano energy, 1(2), pp.328-334.

Gallagher, K.S. and Muehlegger, E., 2011. Giving green to get green? Incentives and consumer adoption of hybrid vehicle technology. Journal of Environmental Economics and management, 61(1), pp.1-15.

Gollin, D., Morris, M. and Byerlee, D., 2015. Technology adoption in intensive post-green revolution systems. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 87(5), pp.1310-1316.

Hall, B.H. and Helmers, C., 2013. Innovation and diffusion of clean/green technology: Can patent commons help?. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 66(1), pp.33-51.

Lewis, N.S., 2007. Toward cost-effective solar energy use. science, 315(5813), pp.798-801.

Logan, B.E., 2008. Microbial fuel cells. John Wiley & Sons.

Long, X., Naminse, E.Y., Du, J. and Zhuang, J., 2015. Nonrenewable energy, renewable energy, carbon dioxide emissions and economic growth in China from 1952 to 2012. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 52, pp.680-688.

Lovegrove, K. and Stein, W. eds., 2012. Concentrating solar power technology: principles, developments, and applications. Elsevier.

Molino, A., Chianese, S., and Musmarra, D., 2016. Biomass gasification technology: The state of the art overview. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 25(1), pp.10-25.

Najjar, Y.S., 2013. Hydrogen safety: The road toward green technology. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 38(25), pp.1716-1728.

Palensky, P. and Dietrich, D., 2011. Demand side management: Demand response, intelligent energy systems, and smart loads. IEEE transactions on industrial informatics, 7(3), pp.381-388.

Spencer, M. and Chandrashekhar, M.V.S., Widetronix Inc, 2013. High power density betavoltaic battery. U.S. Patent 8,487,392.

Tarng, M.M., Lin, M.J., Tarng, E.Y.S., Tarng, A.Y.C., Tarng, A.Y.S., Nieh, J.I., Tarng, H.C. and Nieh, S.Y., 2012. Green technology: green circuit and device designs of the green chip. U.S. Patent 8,089,323.

Tugcu, C.T., Ozturk, I. and Aslan, A., 2012. Renewable and non-renewable energy consumption and economic growth relationship revisited: evidence from G7 countries. Energy economics, 34(6), pp.1942-1950.

Twidell, J. and Weir, T., 2015. Renewable energy resources. Routledge.

Wang, K., Yu, J., Yu, Y., Qian, Y., Zeng, D., Guo, S., Xiang, Y. and Wu, J., 2018. A survey on energy internet: Architecture, approach, and emerging technologies. IEEE Systems Journal, 12(3), pp.2403-2416.

Yuksel, I., 2009. Dams and hydropower for sustainable development. Energy Sources, Part B, 4(1), pp.100-110.