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Environmental technology (abbreviated as envirotech) or green technology (abbreviated as greentech) or clean technology (abbreviated as cleantech) is the application of the environmental science to conserve the natural environment and resources, and to curb the negative impacts of human involvement. Sustainable development is the core of environmental technologies. When applying sustainable development as a solution for environmental issues, the solutions need to be socially equitable, economically viable, and environmentally sound.

[edit] Description

Some environmental technologies, in conjunction with sustainable development, are technologies that assist directly with energy conservation (such as flue gas treatment); other emerging technologies are those that help the environment by reducing the amount of waste produced by human activities. Energy sources such as solar power create fewer problems for the environment than traditional sources of energy like coal and petroleum.

[edit] Technologies

The technologies include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

Recycling

Is a Worldwide Phenomenon, which is a basic application towards the concept of Green Technology. It shows and encourages people to reuse items that can be reusable. Items like saving Cans of food or drinks, Paper etc have been encouraged by the governing bodies around America and rest of the world, to be recycled so that it can be used in the future for several other purposes. It can thus help protect the environment and cause less waste/pollution.^[1]

Water Purification

The whole idea of having dirt/germ/pollution free water flowing throughout the environment. Many other phenomenons’ lead from this concept of Purification of water. Water Pollution is the main enemy of this concept, and various campaigns and activists have been organized around the world to help purify Water. Considering the amount of water usage that is under current consumptions, this Concept is of utter Importance.^[2]

Sewage Treatment

Sewage Treatment is a concept that is really close to Water Purification. Sewage Treatments are very important as it purifies water in levels of its pollution. The more the water is polluted, it’s not used for anything, the least polluted water is supplied to places where Water is used affluently. It may lead to various other concepts of environmental protection, sustainability etc.^[3]

Environmental remediation

Environmental remediation is the removal of pollutants or contaminants for the general protection of the environment. This is accomplished by various chemical, biological, and bulk movement methods, in conjunction with environmental monitoring.(encyclopedia of medical concepts)^[4]

Solid Waste Management

The purification, Consumption, Reuse, Disposal and Treatment of solid waste that is looked after by the government or the ruling bodies of a city/town and its proper care is basically known as Solid Waste management.^[5]

Renewable Energy

Energy that can be replenished easily is the easiest way to explain renewable energy. For years we have been using sources like wood, sun, water etc for means for producing energy. Energy that can be produced by natural objects like wood, sun, wind etc is considered to be renewable. (Nrel)^[6]

[edit] Alternative and clean power

Wikiversity has learning materials about Appropriate technology Designs

Scientists continue to search for clean energy alternatives to our current power production methods. Some technologies such as anaerobic digestion produce renewable energy from waste materials. The global reduction of greenhouse gases is dependent on the adoption of energy conservation technologies at industrial level as well as this clean energy generation. That includes using unleaded gasoline, solar energy and alternative fuel vehicles, including plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric vehicles.

Since electric motors consume 60% of all electricity generated^{[citation needed]}, advanced energy efficient electric motor (and electric generator) technology that are cost effective to encourage their application, such as the brushless wound-rotor doubly-fed electric machine and energy saving module, can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) that would otherwise be introduced to the atmosphere, if electricity is generated using fossil fuels. Greasestock is an event held yearly in Yorktown Heights, New York which is one of the largest showcases of environmental technology in the United States.^{[7][8][9][10][11]}

[edit] Criticism

Extreme radical environmentalism, exhibited in publications such as Green Anarchy, criticizes the concept of environmental technology. From this viewpoint, technology is seen as a system rather than a specific physical tool. Technology, accordingly, requires the exploitation of the environment through the creation and extraction of resources, and the exploitation of people through labor, specialization and the division of labor. Thus, no “neutral” form of technology; things are always created in a certain context with certain aims and functions. Green technology is rejected as an attempt to reform this exploitative system, merely changing it on the surface to make it seem environmentally friendly, despite continued unsustainable levels of human and natural exploitation.

[edit] See also

Sustainable development portal

General

Appropriate Technology, Eco-innovation, Environmental engineering, Clean technology, Permaculture, Environmental Technology Verification Program

Environmental

Green banking, Sustainopreneurship

Science

Environmental Engineering Science, Environmental studies

Groups

Center for Environmental Technology (CET), Confederation of European Environmental Engineering Societies, National Venture Capital Association

Other

Silicon Valley, Air pollution dispersion modeling

[edit] References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (July 2008)

[edit] External links

• Environmental Technologies Action Plan - European Commission - Wiki Environmental Technologies Action Plan
• BiobasedNews.com: a comprehensive database of environmental technology business news and stories and press releases
• EUCETSA - European Committee of Environmental Technology Supplier Associations (representing over 1.000 companies in the environmental industry)
• Related "Norway Online" resources
• Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy - July 7 - 11, 2008
• http://www.agt.com/ agt.com: Advanced Green Technologies is an innovative renewable energy solutions provider.
• How Silicon Valley could become the Detroit of electric cars.
• Consumer Reports GreenerChoices.
• [http:// http://www.livescience.com/environment/top10_emergingenvironment_technologies-1.html Top 10 emerging environment technologies]. livescience.com.
• Reed, Daniel. 2009. Environmental and Renewable Energy Innovation Potential Among the States: State Rankings. Applied Research Project. Texas State University. http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/291/