Green Technology

Green Technology: ‘Going Green’

Green Technology
Katrina Hunter June 17, 2013
Soc120

Green Technology

Aspects of “Going Green”
Recycling
Instead of throwing away all your trash into a landfill, recycle materials such as metal, paper, plastic and objects that are made out of glass. These items are definitely reusable and by recycling them you can help put an end to further depletion of the earth’s resources.
Environmental Remediation
Another aspect of “Going Green” involves removing contaminates from the soil, air, and water. These processes range from chemical to biological. Industry is responsible for much of the contamination and the government has enforced strict regulation to swing it.
Renewable Energy Sources
Green living states that the world cannot rely on fossil fuels forever to power up homes, automobiles, and factories. Green technology includes the conversion of renewable resources such as the sun’s light, wind and water energy that we can use solar panels, wind turbines; geothermal wells are examples of technological innovations that can replace the need for coal and oil. Renewable resources are listed below:

* Wind power (wind energy)- mostly used to generate electricity * Solar energy- radiant light and heat from the sun * Geothermal energy- the heat from the earth * Hydro power- or power water is power that derives from the energy of falling water, which may be harness for useful purposes.
Biomass energy- plant materials and animal waste

Global Warming

Global warming is when earth’s temperature increase due to the effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fuel or from deforestation, which trap heat that will otherwise escape from the earth.
By using less energy, you could lower the demands on power plants, which results in less pollution. Couple energy conservation with increasing your reliance on renewable energy sources, and you can minimize greenhouses emissions and help prevent global warming.
Advantages of Green Technology

Saving Money
You can save a ton of money every year by going green according to livestrong.com. For an example choosing a car that is eco-friendly is a good starting point. The higher the cost of gas the more you save. You can reduce utility bills by switching to compact florescent lights, keeping thermostats properly adjusted, and purchasing energy efficient appliances as your old ones wear out.
Health
Going green can improve you physical health too. For instance, you can walk or ride a bike opposed from driving to certain places. Also you can choose pesticide-free food and eco-friendly household cleaning products to cut down on possible exposures to the cumulative effect of toxic chemicals by recycling properly disposing of old electronic devices and other potentially toxic waste.
Effect on Businesses
Going green is also good for businesses. Many consumers consciously select products and businesses based on how environmental friendly they are. Going green builds good will and represents a competitive advantage. Also, a business can reduce cost of adopting energy saving products and procedures. Companies can also qualify for tax incentives for making green choices just as individuals can.

Disadvantages of Green Technology
Green technology is often touted for having numerous benefits for the Earth and it inhabitants; however there are also certain disadvantages to going green. While living in an environmental friendly way can help to minimize certain factors associated with going green tt can potentially be a drawback for those who adopt this type of lifestyle.

Time
Another disadvantage to going green is that it is extremely time consuming. Time is an issue with green living in two separate ways. The first is that adopting a green lifestyle can often be time-consuming for those who are fully committed to green living. For an example, you may choose to make your own beauty and cleaning products, which will definitely take time opposed from just purchasing them at a store. Growing your own fruits and vegetables are also time- consuming. Changing your light bulbs to compact fluorescent light can help the environment but it takes up to four months to pay the difference in their cost.

Environmental Impact
Going green can also have a negative effect on the environment. The development of alternative fuels is an innovation in the green movement in an effort to reduce reliance which is one example of a negative impact on the environment. This development of alternative fuels is an innovation in the green movement in an effort to reduce reliance. The alternative fuel called E85, actually released more ozone into the atmosphere than traditional fuel. While ozone is a natural part of the upper atmosphere, if it becomes concentrated in the lower atmosphere, it can potentially increase pollution in area where smog, which is a type of pollution in the air, is concern. This can be a major impact to the health for those who are living in the area.
Advantages and Disadvantages for Businesses
With rising energy costs and the threat of global warming, many businesses are now recognizing the benefits of using green technology to reduce their carbon footprint and to minimize waste. However, there can be a number of disadvantages to going green for businesses.
Disadvantages for some businesses: * Conversion Expenses-costly for a business to completely go green * Costly Product-products become too costly for consumers * Lack of Support-entrenched bias towards the company that wants to go green * Going Paperless-importance of the use of paper in a business and the insurances of supplying everyone with a laptop. * Customers Backlash- companies may intentionally or unintentionally make false claims regarding the environmental friendliness of their product, process known as “green washing”. If consumers become aware that a company is engaging in green washing the company may suffer harm to its credibility.

With today’s society, we tend to favor convince; with an inclination to place speed and efficiency ahead of impact on limited resources. The environmental and health benefits of walking or biking somewhere instead of taking a car are easily forgotten because people are such in a hurry to get where they need to get. Ghandi once said, “There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for a man’s greed.” Put in the extra effort; each time someone does, the world will grow a little greener.

References http://www.goinggreenhints.com http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/Primer/Global_Warming/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/137345 http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com

References: http://www.goinggreenhints.com http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/Primer/Global_Warming/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/137345 http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com