Environmental technology is the application of science to address environmental challenges through conservation and the mitigation of human impact to the environment. It broadly includes all technologies that help the environment and improving environmental health.
It includes technologies for pollution control, waste management, and remediation of environmental damage, such as air and water purification systems or technologies for managing hazardous waste. This list includes, but is not limited to:
Computational Sustainability
Computational sustainability balances societal, economic, and environmental resources for the future well-being of humanity using methods from mathematics, computer science, and information science fields. “Sustainability” in this context refers to the world’s ability to sustain biological, social, and environmental systems in the long term.
Using the power of computers to process large quantities of information, decision making algorithms allocate resources based on real-time information. Applications advanced by this field are widespread across various areas. For example, artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are created to promote long-term biodiversity conservation and species protection. Smart grids implement renewable resources and storage capabilities to control the production and expenditure of energy. Intelligent transportation system technologies can analyze road conditions and relay information to drivers so they can make smarter, more environmentally beneficial decisions based on real-time traffic information.
Sustainable Energy
Sustainable energy (renewable energy) is the energy that can be replenished easily. This includes wind power, hydropower, solar energy, geothermal energy, and biomass/bioenergy. Examples include heat pumps; hydrogen fuel cells; hydroelectricity; ocean thermal energy conversion; solar power; wave energy; and wind turbine.
Renewable Energy Innovations
The intersection of technology and sustainability has led to innovative solutions aimed at enhancing the efficiency of renewable energy systems. leveraging the complementary nature of solar and wind energy availability.
Advancements in offshore wind technology have significantly increased the viability and efficiency of wind energy. These turbines are now more adaptable to various marine environments, allowing for greater flexibility in location and potentially reducing visual pollution. The floating wind turbines, for example, use tension leg platforms and spar buoys that can be deployed in deeper waters, significantly expanding the potential areas for wind energy generation
Such innovations not only advance the capabilities of individual renewable technologies but also contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy grid. By optimizing the integration and efficiency of renewable resources, these technologies play a crucial role in the transition towards a sustainable energy future.
E-Gain forecasting is a method using forecasting technology to predict the future weather’s impact on a building. By adjusting the heat based on the weather forecast, the system eliminates redundant use of heat, thus reducing the energy consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases.
Solar power (solar electricity) is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV) or indirectly using concentrated solar power. Solar panels use the photovoltaic effect to convert light into an electric current. Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and solar tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight to a hot spot, often to drive a steam turbine that is converted to electricity.
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture utilizes technology to ensures food protection and the long-term health and productivity of agricultural systems, ecosystems, and communities. Historically, these technological advancements have significantly contributed to increasing agricultural productivity and reducing physical labor.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture improves sustainable agriculture through the use of funded programs aimed at fulfilling human food and fiber needs, improving environmental quality, and preserving natural resources vital to the agricultural economy, optimizing the utilization of both nonrenewable and on-farm resources while integrating natural biological cycles and controls as appropriate, maintaining the economic viability of farm operations, and to foster an improved quality of life for farmers and society at large.
Among its initiatives, the NIFA wants to improve farm and ranch practices, integrated pest management, rotational grazing, soil conservation, water quality/wetlands, cover crops, crop/landscape diversity, nutrient management, agroforestry, and alternative marketing.
Purification and Waste Management
Environmental remediation is the process through which contaminants or pollutants in soil, water and other media are removed to improve environmental quality.
Bioremediation is a process that uses microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, plant enzymes, and yeast to neutralize hazardous containments that can be in the environment. This helps mitigate a variety of environmental hazards, including oil spills, pesticides, heavy metals, and other pollutants.
Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids, and gases from water.
Air purification is the processes used to remove contaminants and pollutants from the air to reduce the potential adverse effects on humans and the environment.
E-waste recycling involves disassembly, precise separation and recovery of valuable materials.
Benefits of environmental technology include:
Resource Conservation: Reduces the depletion of natural resources.
Pollution Reduction: Lowers the levels of pollutants released into the environment.
Economic Growth: Promotes new industries and job creation in green sectors.
Health Improvement: Reduces exposure to harmful pollutants, improving public health.
Climate Protection: Mitigates the impacts of climate change through innovative solutions.
Environmental technology plays a crucial role in the global effort to create a more sustainable future, ensuring that human activities have a less detrimental impact on the planet.