The Benefits of Green Technolgy

The Benefits of Green Technology on Society Yolanda Moody Computer Literacy 103 Nancy Elelko May 9, 2011 The Benefits of Green Technology on Society Over the last decade there has been a major push with the concern over the environment and its effects on climate change. The changes to the environment are blamed on the rise in human population, these changes ultimately led to the establishment of the “green revolution. “Climate change concerns and an increased international awareness to protect the environment have made adoption of green practices a priority” (Communications Today, July, 2010). Green technology basically is technology that is environmentally friendly and is made and used in a way that uses fewer natural resources. Green technology also is meant to create alternative sources of technology that reduce fossil fuel and demonstrate less damage to humans, animals, and plant life the world in general.The goal of green technology is to find ways to produce technology that does not continue to deplete and damage the environment.

Even though green technology can be costly, consume less energy, water and natural resources, it’s healthier for you and the environment, it saves money by reducing cost, and makes money through creation of green jobs and governmental tax incentives. The key for making this type of technology and way of life is making it sustainable for everyone over a long period of time.The most urgent concern with wanting to implement green technology is for purposes of energy. “There is a need to find ways to produce more efficient ways to produce energy without burning all of the world’s coal and all the worlds’ fossil fuels and natural resources (hubpages. com, 2011).

” Energy is the resource that powers the world. Finding new sources of energy and ways to distribute it is so important to the future of mankind. Other sources of energy like solar power, wind power and alternative use of new fossil fuel are imperative to society becoming energy efficient. If you can measure how much fuel and electricity you consume, the benefits of reducing energy use to the environment and to the bottom line are relatively straightforward (Elana Varon, June 1, 2010).

” Consuming less energy, water and natural resources is a primary goal of green scientist, because it is healthier for you and the environment. There is a push to get rid of old methods and incorporate new methods. The new methods of productions should produce the same results however they should be beneficial to the environment and the people in it. The more we apply technology to all the wasteful things we have, the better off, ultimately, we're going to be (Elan Varon, June 1, 2010). " The United States Department of Energy says that the United States is the largest consumer of energy (United States Department of Energy, Dec.

12, 2010). ” Reduction of greenhouse gases is imperative to the protection of the ozone layer. The increase in greenhouse gases causes respiratory problems for humans such as asthma (United States Department of Energy, Dec. 12, 2010).

Local governments are being asked to come up with a climate action plan. These plans are in an effort to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases. The most abundant greenhouse gases listed in order are: water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane gas, nitrous oxide, ozone, and chlorofluorocarbons according to the (Us Dept. of Energy, Dec. 12, 2010). The biggest push for the reduction of greenhouse gases have been but in place by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air Act was established in an effort to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases.The effort to reduce greenhouse gases would decrease the rate of climate change that effects direct temperature change, air quality, effects on extreme weather events, and climate sensitive diseases. Modern global anthropogenic carbon emissions (Wikipedia, Dec. 2008). The availability of clean low-cost water is essential to the economy and the environment. The need to obtain water from all possible sources including waste water is essential (US Dept.

of Energy, Dec. 12, 2010). Some of these uses include agriculture drainage, waste water treatment plants, gray water and industrial effluence water.The use of these water sources could benefit the environment by increasing the salinity of other natural resources.

Removing harmful pathogen from gray water, and removing excessive ground water saturation from rain and agricultural runoff could save millions of gallons of water annually. Gray water is the water from bath water, laundry, showers etc…, which ultimately turns into black water which is sewer water. “The US Army at Fort Carson has created a successful and award-winning water conservation program through a series of initiatives that avoid using portable water (US Department of Energy, August, 2009). The program at Carson reuses and recycles waste water, effluent water and water from washed vehicles, this project saves Carson around 300 million gallons of water annually ( US Dept. of Energy, Aug.

2009). The increase in water use annually and climatic changes that cause the overflow of sewers to release increased amounts of pollution into the water systems, and aging infrastructure must be addressed immediately if we are to conserve our natural resources. The need for portable water has increased significantly and these changes need to be met to compete with the demand.You can do simple things to help to reduce the amount of water usage by simply turning off the water while you are brushing your teeth, or lathering up the dishes, reduce the length of time you spend in the shower or turn off the water while you are lathering up, go to a commercial car wash since they use reusable water or be use sure to use a nozzle.

These small efforts help to reduce the annual amount of potable water usage. The amount of potable water usage has increased significantly around the world in developing countries.An estimate of the share of people in developing countries with access to potable water 1970 (Wikipedia, 1972-1982). The need to use products that are environmentally friendly is mandatory in the reduction of greenhouse gases, water and air pollution.

These products should be used to cause no further harm to the environment. Some common household products contain very dangerous chemical that are toxic and poisonous to the environment. These chemicals can seep into our rivers, lakes and streams and contaminate ground water that animals and plant life depend on.Safer non-toxic products are safer for you and the environment (Halik, 2011). The government has created numerous programs in an effort to push consumers and companies alike to implement green technology.

Building green basically encourages builders and homeowners to build using tools and materials that work most efficiently with the environment. As far away as the United Kingdom the government is offering incentives for its citizens, to replace its boilers. The Government's boiler scrappage scheme will give householders pounds 400 off an A-rated boiler for getting rid of their old one (Amy Hunt, Jan. 2, 2010).

The scheme is seen as important part of efforts to cut the impact which home heating has on the environment and to meet national targets for slashing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and the annual heating bill for a household making the switch could drop by pounds 235 as a result ( Amy Hunt, Jan. 12, 2010). There are numerous other programs also, residents and businesses owners are invited to find out how they could boost income by going green, it’s a national scheme which pays people for generating their own renewable energy (Wfnode, April 21, 2011).The United States government gave tax payers up to 30% of a tax deduction for implementing green technology in your home or business (irs. gov, 2010). These deductions included upgrading your heating or air conditioning system to energy star products.

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U. S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices (energystar. gov, 2010).

When looking to upgrade your home or build a new home look for the Energy Star symbol, they have met strict guidelines set in place by the EPA and the Department of Energy. Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2010 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 33 million cars — all while saving nearly $18 billion on their utility bills (energystar. gov, 2010). Upgrades to a renewable energy sources solar or wind system, geothermal heat pumps, insulating your home, windows and doors are also included in these tax incentives.

The amount of personal savings vary depending on the type of technology that would be beneficial to your situations. The cost for converting to green technology can be costly at first the benefits far outweigh the cost. With all of the incentives in place to convert to green technology consumers and companies alike will ultimately benefit. Initially the conversion will be taxing; however the benefits to the environment will far outweigh the dollar amount.

Programs launched by the government have been put in place to offset these cost. (K. Patel, M. Ambrusch, D.

Lam, T. Nangle, A. Weigand, Aug. 18, 2010) One of the first big green automobile tax incentives for going green was “Cash for Clunkers. ” Cash for Clunkers programs was a vehicle trade in program where consumers could receive help with payments towards a new more fuel efficient vehicle car or truck (NHTSA, Sept.

8, 2010). The program over achieved its goals it replaced over 680,000 vehicles increased sales and aided the environment (NHTSA, Sept. 8, 2010). The other side of this program was that the vehicles could not be resold they had to be crushed.The government is still offering incentives for purchasing hybrid vehicles, electric and battery operated vehicles or alternative fuel vehicles.

The governments are giving 8% (RTS) for new vehicles or are converted to operate exclusively on alternative fuel (Minister of Revenue, Aug. 27, 2010). Although the price of these cars are more expensive, the incentives help reduce the price and the use of the vehicles help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Pollution form motor vehicle is the single largest source of air pollution emission. (World CNG.

om, June 14, 2010) The use of green technology has assisted in the creation of employment opportunities that did not exist prior to the green revolution. A program in Minnesota has turned garbage into recycled products reducing the carbon footprint and creating numerous jobs (De PASS, D. , May 2, 2011). “The US has the ability to develop clean energy innovation here at home,” stated US Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

“Rather than sending billions overseas to pay for clean technologies, we should invest these dollars here – in America’s workers, industries and innovations” ( Penn Well Corp. 2010 ). The creation of clean technology jobs is steadily growing with the constant growth of green technology. The goal of recent government leadership is for us in the US to become less dependent on other countries for fuel, and use more alternative fuel sources, reduce pollution, and become more self-reliant while saving the environment. Green jobs have continued to grow even when other employment was on decline. (ECOINSTITUTION,n.

d. ) Even though green technology can be costly, consume less energy, water and natural resources, it’s healthier for you and the environment.The contributions that green technology will make to the future of the earth are phenomenal. Implementing green technology will help with the reduction of greenhouse gases; reduce the amount of carbon footprint, help with global warming and assist with the restoration of natural resources. Green technology has begun the creation of a whole new job market helping to restore the economy.

The restoration of natural resources ensures a future for future generations. Using recycled products helps to reduce the carbon footprint by reducing landfill usage and the types of materials that are going into the landfills.The use of alternative fuel sources help us to become less dependent on other countries for most our energy and to clean up the energy we have. Alternative fuel sources allow us to reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. These are just a few of the benefits of using green technology, which far outweigh the cost factor. References 404 - Not Found.

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