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The Future of Green Technology
Ever heard of the term ‘green technology’? Green technology refers to machinery and equipment used to reverse the negative effects of human activity on our natural resources. It is closely associated with the use of renewable natural resources such as sunlight and wind. Common examples of green technology include wind turbines and solar panels. In the Philippines, the prices of green technology are slowly becoming more and more affordable to encourage everyone to move into a sustainable lifestyle.
The Goal of Green Technology
Just like in any type of innovation, green technology has also was created with particular goals in mind. Its primary purpose is for humans to be able to maximize the use of new technologies without compromising our natural resources. This largely depends on being able to successfully introduce sustainable living to people.
Sustainable living means living in a way that attempts to lessen the use of Earth’s natural resources and reduce one’s carbon footprint. For example, electric cars are an ideal form of private transportation. Unlike in a typical vehicle, an electric car uses rechargeable batteries that stores electrical energy. This means there is no need to use fossil fuel to keep the car’s engine running, which lessens the greenhouse gas emissions.
There are other several simple ways on how to live sustainably, such as eating organic food, making less waste by practicing recycling and reusing, driving less, and opting for environmental-friendly products, among others.
Future Trends in Green Technology
Here are some of the green technologies that will enhance the condition of the environment by making it sustainable and efficient to live in.
- Alternative Energy – Countries such as Sweden and Denmark are already utilizing alternative energy to lessen the dependency on fossil fuels. The availability of sunlight and wind makes it easier for people to switch to renewable energy. In the Philippines, solar and wind energy are two renewable energies that are being utilized in both residential and commercial establishments.
- Vertical Farming – Vertical farming is a modern take to traditional farming. Food is produced in vertically stacked layers, to save space. It also aims to lessens the use of water and use of toxic pesticides.
Green technology is all about being practical and sustainable — being able to conserve and protect our natural resources so we can have a better future and preserve enough resources for the future generation as well.
4 More Solar-Powered Inventions Around the World
Various sustainable habits are being promoted around the world to help preserve the environment and the planet we live in. Such habits include opting for natural household products and reducing solid waste through recycling and reusing. In the Philippines, the prices of solar panels have become affordable enough that more and more people are using it.
Technology also plays significant role in both worsening and improving the condition of the Earth. Since the advent of technology brings various benefits to humankind, creative minds maximize the availability of new technologies to developed innovations that will benefit everyone, including the environment. Here are a few more incredible solar-powered inventions that are wonderful alternatives to their regular counterparts.
SOL Laptop
SOL, the world’s first solar-powered laptop, was developed by WeWi to aid education in developing countries. This laptop was designed with extreme durability and detachable solar panels, making it efficient to use anywhere you go. It can last for about 8 to 10 hours without being plugged in and only needs to be charged for two hours.
ZubaBox
An Internet café often uses more electricity since it has several computer units that need to be connected with the outlet, which results to more usage of energy. But did you know that it is possible to build a solar-powered Internet shop?
ZubaBox was developed by Computer Aid International to provide computer solutions in a medical mission in Zambia. This Internet café was constructed using shipping containers, low-power lights, and polycrystalline solar panels. Since then, ZubaBox was also installed in other countries, such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe.
Solar Impulse Plane
Typically, an airplane uses a petroleum-based fuel, such as aviation fuel to power up. But for engineer Andre Borschberg and aeronaut Bertrand Piccard, it is possible to fly an aircraft without utilizing fuel, which lessens green gas emissions. With this, they launched Solar Impulse.
Solar Impulse, a long-range experimental solar-powered aircraft project, created a single-seat aircraft that is powered by photovoltaic cells. In 2011, the first solar-powered plane was able to fly its first international flight, which flew between Belgium and France. Solar Impulse Plane is considered the first aircraft to fly both the day and night without fuel. Moreover, the Solar Impulse II finished an entire trip across the globe in July 2016, which lasted for more than 16 months.
Solar-powered Roadways
The first ever bike path was built in the Netherlands in 2015. The bike path stretches 230 ft. long and made up of crystalline silicon solar panels. The solar panels are covered with tempered glass that is tough to withstand extreme weather and hundreds of cyclists that will traverse on it. On the other hand, France has plans, too, to install solar pavers that will cover 1,000 km of the road.
There is no doubt that technology has been a great gift to people. Utilizing it in a good way will surely bring positive results to everyone just like the smart inventions mentioned above. These new innovations will surely profoundly change the daily lives of people and help minimize worsening of the Earth’s condition.
4 Environmental Organizations in the Philippines
Let’s take a moment to appreciate various environmental organizations who are rallying against causes of climate change, deforestation, pollution, and various other issues threatening earth. Their work is absolutely essential as we’re now living on a planet where global temperature is significantly warmer than before (aka global warming) and our forests are gradually losing the fight. To put it bluntly, we’re watching the world decay right before our eyes – and we humans have caused it.
It’s a good thing that there are still good-hearted and concerned people who are addressing these problems. More importantly, they concentrate efforts on remedying it and preventing further damage. That’s exactly why they’ve set up these environmental organizations – to spearhead these efforts and promote sustainable habits such as consuming organic food, recycling, and switching to solar panels. In the Philippines, you may have noticed some of their projects such as Earth Hour and ROAD to 2020.
If you’re interest in helping out or at least learn more about them, we’ve provided a short list of the prominent environmental organizations found in the country.
World Wildlife Fund
World Wildlife Fund is a worldwide environmental organization focusing on the protection of the Earth’s natural resources. This includes our forests and oceans, among others. They are committed to preserving the biodiversity on Earth and sustain life. WWF is the world’s leading and most influential conservation group, operating in over 100 countries and currently participated by five million people across the globe. They are responsible for Earth Hour, an annual worldwide movement wherein lights are turned off in homes and businesses from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. This event is conducted to celebrate sustainability. Since its foundation, Earth Hour has been supported by millions of people and has been celebrated for nine years now.
Haribon Foundation
Haribon Foundation is an environmental organization that focuses on the biodiversity conservation of the Philippines. Some of the their more prominent activities are mangrove restoration and tree planting. Another is the ROAD to 2020.
Rainforest Organization and Advocates (ROAD) to 2020 is a conservation movement that aims to restore the Philippine rainforests by the year 2020. This movement intends to bring back the natural forests of the country by using native tree species, such as apitong, lauan, and narra. You can participate in ROAD to 2020 by joining in tree planting, giving a gift tree, or adopting a seedling.
Save Philippines Seas
Save Philippine Seas is an environmental organization focusing on the coastal and marine resources of the Philippines. They conducts workshops and execute awareness campaigns, which aim to educate and encourage people to participate in conservation activities and projects.
Earth Island Institute Philippines
Earth Island Institute Philippines concentrates on the conversation of wetlands in the country. They have been building awareness about the conservation and restoration of the oceans and seas throughout the Philippines. In addition, they also conduct coastal clean-ups and organize film showing about environmental issues.
These are some of the many environmental organizations in the Philippines that you can support to show your care for our environment. Start volunteering, get involved, and take action in preserving and enhancing the current state of Earth. After all, it is our responsibility to take care of it and make it sustainable for the next generation.
Dangerous Toxins to Avoid in Food
Living sustainably is one of the campaigns of various environmental organizations around the globe. By living green, you may choose to consume less meat, use natural household cleaners, reduce water use, and install solar panels on the roof.
Apart from purchasing affordable prices of solar panels in the Philippines, the patronage of natural and organic products in the country is also seen as a way to switch to sustainable lifestyle. The advent of natural and organic products in various establishments in the metro gave people option to choose fresh produce rather than the toxic ones.
Unfortunately, various food products in stores contain toxins, which are harmful to human health. The best way to avoid our exposure to harmful chemicals is to be familiar with them and with the food that contains them. Read on and take a look at the dangerous toxins you need to avoid in food.
Bisphenol-A (BPA)
Bisphenol-A or BPA can be found in food and beverage linings, such as plastic bottles and food containers. This chemical compound can allegedly boost breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, obesity, and behavioral problems. As much as possible, avoid canned goods. Instead, opt for fresh, frozen, and dried ones.
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) are two food preservatives commonly used in the food industry. These preservatives are usually found in butter, cereal, potato chips, and baked goods. Apart from being a food preservative, BHA and BHT are also used in lipsticks, moisturizers, and other cosmetic products.
BHA and BHT are known to induce skin allergic reactions. According to the International Agency for Researcher on Cancer, BHA is a possible human carcinogen, a substance that is capable of causing cancer in living tissue. Moreover, BHA is categorized to interfere with hormone function.
Sodium Aluminum Sulphate and Potassium Aluminum Sulphate
Sodium Aluminum Sulphate and Potassium Aluminum Sulphate are often used in baked goods, cheese products, microwave popcorn, and other packaged goods. These two toxins are suspected to have been linked in adverse behavioral, developmental, and neurological effects.
Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Nitrate
Sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate are both food preservative and curing agents. Sodium nitrate is a salt that is used to add flavor in bacon and luncheon meat. On the other hand, sodium nitrite is also a salt used to cure bacon and ham.
According to cardiologists, the intake of sodium nitrate may increase your risk to develop heart disease. On the other hand, sodium nitrite may cause kidney failure and organ damage.
There are several ways on how to switch sustainable lifestyle—opting for organic and natural products is one of the easiest and simplest means. By choosing organic and natural products, you will not only avoid these dangerous toxins but help preserve our environment as well. You may also choose to grow your own food to ensure that it does not have any harmful toxins. Just remember when you go shopping, check the label of the food that you will be purchasing to make sure that it does not have any harmful toxins.
Carbon Footprint: What Exactly Is It
Every single thing we do every day directly affects our environment. Turning on the air conditioner, using the washing machine to do the laundry, eating meat, and driving to work—these actions does not only come with a price of your money but the precious price of the natural resources as well. These withdrawals of natural resources from the Earth contribute to the high amount of carbon footprint.
In the Philippines, solar panel installation are done by both residential and commercial establishments to somewhat reduce their carbon footprint. Do you have any idea what is carbon footprint? How it affects our environment? Read on to know more about what carbon footprint is and how we can reduce our own carbon footprint.
What is Carbon Footprint?
Carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted to the air because of the consumption of fossil fuels. It also refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases that were produced to support human activities.
Carbon footprint is just one in the family of footprint indicators that includes land footprint and water footprint.
What are the Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint?
Surely, there are various available ways on how to reduce your carbon footprint. It is up to us what techniques we will use. Some of the common methods used to reduce one’s carbon footprint are to Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse. Start by recycling old bottles and jars at home. Reuse plastic bags and bring it the next time you buy your groceries instead of throwing it away. These simple habits will reduce the solid waste that goes into the landfills.
In manufacturing companies, recycling packing materials is done to reduce their carbon footprint. On the other hand, in every household, reducing carbon footprint can also be done through the use of less energy; by doing things like opting for LED and CFC light bulbs instead of regular ones. Switching to renewable energy can immensely help this cause.
It would also beneficial to know that the engine of your vehicle burns fuel when you drive and this creates a certain amount of CO2. The amount of CO2 you generate depends on your driving distance and fuel consumption. This is why your daily choices, such as opting for carpooling to work or using the mass transit, can really help reduce your carbon footprint.
Food choice also plays a huge contribution to one’s carbon footprint. Heavily processed and packaged food as well as consuming protein-sources animals, especially red meat are some of the biggest contributors to a high carbon footprint. Instead, opt for a vegan diet and grow your own fruits and vegetables at home. This simple ways will make a difference in the long run.
Every human produces their individual ecological footprint, which is determined largely by the country’s development and wealth they live in. However, their choices and daily habits can lessen their carbon footprint.
Remember, even simple habits and your daily choices can really make a difference. Do you want to take the first step in reducing your carbon footprint? Join the annual Earth Hour on March 25, 2017. This one hour event became a global movement ever since various cities around the world have constantly participated in order to achieve a massive environmental impact. Make a stand by turning off your light from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM.