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These days, it seems like no matter where you turn, there is always someone talking about how we are polluting the environment and global warming will wipe us all out. This can be kind of a sad topic for some.
However, as technology keeps advancing, humans are finding new ways to adapt to green living.
7 New Technologies That Are Good for the Planet
Here are some new technologies, both fun and unique, that can help save the planet:
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Pollinating Drones
One major problem that scientists have been discussing is the extinction of bees. They aren’t gone yet, but they are on their way. If they disappear, how will flowers be pollinated? Who will make honey for us?
For those unaware, certain foods and drinks rely on pollination for their products. Some examples include carrots, chocolate, apples, and coffee. In total, approximately 75 percent of the crops we use are pollinated thanks to bees.
We may not be able to save the bees but we can at least try to save ourselves. Scientists in Japan have created a drone that can pollinate plants the same way bees do. So far, the drone has only been tested and still needs more work before it is ready to be rolled out.
Creating Oil
With humans using natural resources faster than they can regenerate, we are running out of some of the world’s main energy supplies. Scientists have come up with a way to take anything that is carbon-based and turn it into the oil.
Through a process called thermo-depolymerization, heat and pressure are added to the carbon-based element to produce oil. This is similar to how nature creates oil, but this process is millions of years faster.
Biodegradable Plastic
So many items are still made out of plastic that will not decompose. From shopping bags to tarps, we use plastic on a regular basis. However, you no longer need to feel guilty about some of the choices you make.
Avani Eco, created by Indonesian entrepreneur Kevin Kumala, has found a way to make plastic that can decompose. Using cassava, a common and cheap vegetable found in many areas of Indonesia, this process has been gaining more popularity.
Don’t start wasting plastic bags because of this, though. Many places have yet to implement this process. Just because the product you are using is made from biodegradable material doesn’t mean there is no harm to the Earth.
Items like factories and shipping may still produce greenhouse gases during the production and distribution process. Eventually, all factories will become green but until that happens, still try to conserve anything you can.
Harnessing the Sun
Solar power is nothing new. However, the technology that captures the sun’s energy is evolving. It is said that the oceans absorb massive amounts of energy in one day, approximately equaling the same amount as 750 billion barrels of oil.
To put that number into perspective, the United States consumes roughly 7.5 billion barrels in a year. That’s a lot of energy! OTEC technologies can transform the thermal energy in the oceans into electricity using turbines.
This process uses the hot ocean water found near the surface and the cold ocean water from deep down. The difference in temperature powers turbines, which then deposits the energy into generators for later use.
At this moment, the technology isn’t efficient enough to be used. Once scientists are able to improve upon this method, you will start seeing this type of energy being used all the time.
Don’t allow this to make you feel as though your efforts at home are not important. Solar panels in California, New York and all the states in between have had a major impact on conserving natural resources.
Zero Emissions Plane
One of the problems with flying is that it takes a large amount of fuel. What’s worse is when you see an airplane taking off only half-filled with passengers. Generally, the plane will still use the same amount of fuel compared to when the plane is fuel.
Granted, the plane is slightly lighter but that won’t significantly reduce any of the emissions. The solution is to go to a completely different kind of fuel. This plane is still new to the market and has not taken off yet.
An excuse that airlines use when it comes to ticket prices and hidden fees is that because the fuel has become so expensive, they need to raise ticket prices to make up for the lost revenue. This is also how they get away with asking you to pay for additional luggage.
One of the zero-emission planes that are currently out there relies on oxygen and hydrogen, with an electrical current aided by batteries. A result is a plane that only emits water vapor.
Drinkable Ocean Water
The technology to convert ocean water into something that is drinkable has been around for a while. However, technology has made it a lot more eco-friendly when doing so. Plants that are capable of doing this task right now produce greenhouse gases and require a lot of power.
Researchers in the United Kingdom have created a sieve that can help filter out salt water. This process requires much less energy. The United Nations has predicted that within a short period of time, approximately 14 percent of humans will not have access to drinkable water.
Biodegradable Ammunition
At first, this seemed a little odd. How many bullets can we possibly be going through in order for it to be a problem for the environment? It was explained that the military goes through a lot of ammunition for training purposes.
As a result, many military facilities are some of the worst polluted areas. These shell casings can take hundreds of years to biodegrade and sometimes contain harmful toxins that can pollute water and soil.
Recently, the army asked for people to submit proposals in regard to manufacturing these items. The government also intends on inserting seeds into the bullets so that way as they biodegrade, plants will grow and can help produce fresh oxygen and reduce soil contaminants.
Conclusion
These are just some of the many technologies that are being produced and developed to help save the Earth. Once various ideas are thoroughly tested, you can expect to start seeing some of these inventions put into use.
