Peter Kanai

Guest Blog What the Future of Green Technology Looks Like Global investment in green technology has been increasing by almost 20% over the last few years in different sectors like energy, innovation and manufacturing. With more pressing environmental problems across the world like energy shortages, global warming, pollution, rising urban population and others, individuals, small and big companies, and countries are looking into the future to see how adapting to greener technologies can help change the world. Finding a way to curb our huge reliance on fossil fuels and reduce pollution depends on how we develop new green technology and more eco-friendly solutions. We need alternative and more efficient solutions to shape the future. Below, we look at what the future of green technology looks like. The Main Focus on the Future of Green Technology From small businesses, innovators, equipment manufacturers, service providers to global manufacturing giants, investment into green technology is being considered on both small and large scale. To understand what serves as the foundation of this rapid growth, you need to look at the key areas of focus. Energy Energy is considered the most pressing issue in matters green technology. There is no doubt that the world today is heading into the unknown if we continue to rely on fossil fuels. Fortunately, the energy sector worldwide is focusing more on the development of alternative fuels and energy sources. The manufacturing sector will also play a significant role in producing more energy-efficient products that go a long way into adapting the green way of life into the future. Sustainability Companies and service providers are taking necessary steps and putting great effort into meeting social-related needs with sustainable solutions that will be used now and in the future without damaging or depleting natural resources. For instance, car wash businesses are opting for more efficient wash systems that help them recycle used water for use to reduce wastage. If you own a ​transit wash system​, you would see how such solutions can help you save on water bills while also offering a sustainable solution to reducing water wastage. Source Reduction Companies in all manufacturing and industrial sectors are also creating solutions geared towards reducing waste and pollution by changing how products are manufactured and consumed by end-users and consumers in the market. Various steps are being taken to achieve this: ● ● ● ● ● Instituting practices that reduce waste Recycling waste Purchasing remanufactured products like equipment and parts Opting for green product alternatives Adopting green policies in the product and service sectors Innovation Innovation is the driver of future green technology and solutions. More focus is now on the development of better alternatives to the types of technologies that have proven to pose a danger to our environment and health. Innovation will play a huge role in changing trends in the use of fossil fuels, creating solutions for urban industrial pollution and developing alternatives for chemical-intensive agriculture. Green Chemistry and Nanotechnology The future of green technology will largely depend on how businesses and organizations learn to invent, develop, manipulate and apply different processes to products and materials at different levels. Whether it's through chemical processes or nanotechnology, this will play a huge role in helping us transform the manufacturing of products and chemical processes so as to reduce and eliminate the use and generation of hazardous materials and substances. Regenerative Design A large percentage of the world's waste is caused by the use of products like plastics that are not recyclable or non-degradable. Ending the cycle of using manufactured products that are not eco friendly is a great focus in green technology today. Manufacturers are now creating products that can be fully reused, recycled or reclaimed. Viability In a world where implementation of green policies is still slow, especially in developing countries, the viability of green technology going into the future is of most importance. Developing centers of economic activity or green hubs that focus on creating products and innovative technologies that truly benefit the environment and ensure health safety is critical. Green technology inspired projects, organizations and centers, whether government funded or private, play a huge role in speeding up implementation of green solutions as well as creating awareness and careers that focus on making the planet a safer and better place. Exciting New Technologies for a Green Future Solar Power The solar power industry is growing fast and is aiming at achieving enough solar capacity in the future. As one of the leading green technologies with implementation all over the world, a lot of innovations are coming up every day. From solar roof tiles and walls, large solar stations in deserts to smart solar innovations like the Smartflower, car wash owners, and other businesses can power their operations and cut energy costs. Living Buildings Planting roof gardens on flat open top buildings has been going on for some time now. However, this technology is being pushed further by architects and designers with more innovative concepts of making entire buildings and cities green. Urban jungles that help absorb heat, rainwater and carbon dioxide, and provide insulation. Vertical Farms With global population rising fast, providing sufficient food for everyone will be a problem in the coming future, especially when arable farmland becomes progressively limited by productivity and space. The solution lies in vertical farms or indoor farming in densely populated cities. Windmill Farms Wind is one of most critical natural energies available, so it presents a key area of focus in green technology. Innovative wind turbines are now being created with more attractive designs, better durability in strong weather and better functionality even in low-wind environments. Biodegradable Products As the world comes to terms with the level of damage that non-biodegradable products are doing to the environment, biodegradable alternatives to plastics are part of the future green technology solutions expected to bring change. Efforts are currently being made by manufacturers to produce safer products using biodegradable materials. Green Computing Environmentally sustainable computing is another example of future green technology. With over 60% system components ending up in landfills, the focus is now shifting to more efficient and effective designing, manufacturing, testing, using and disposing of computers and other related equipment and devices to ensure minimal or no impact on the environment. The future of green technology is bright, with innovations expected to change the way we do things, use day-to-day items and even interact with our surroundings. Looking Ahead Businesses have a wide range of ideas on how green technology will transform over the next decade. Most agree that innovations and implementation will increase. Some of the changes expected include: ● ● ● ● ● A significant increase in efficiency levels in the next 5-10 years A whole new building approach to smart energy innovation and use Continued growth in consumer demand for highly efficient products Stricter implementation of measures to lower emissions Efficient designs that perform better and are more sustainable Whichever way you choose to embrace green technology into the future, you must be at the forefront of energy efficiency and emerging technologies so as to stay ahead. Your business or organization has to keep up with the latest efficiency standards and regulations as well as implementation requirements. This way, you can quickly adapt to future changes in green technology solutions. Author Bio: ..............................is a green technology expert working with businesses in Los Angeles, California. He helps business owners implement sustainable solutions to ensure efficiency in their operations. He also writes on the latest green technology developments, innovations and future applications. When he's not working, he engages in voluntary environmental programs to make a difference in the world. Image 1: http://cdn3.gbtimes.com/cdn/farfuture/aOUZPyEWGKh_7397h82fF7LCiUYxYzIleLNl66h6Shw/m time:-/sites/default/files/styles/1280_wide/public/2014/08/01/shutterstock_-.jpg?itok=QD6tom1g Image 2: ​http://www.bosssolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Wash-N-Go-003.jpg