The most promising green technology
by C:F Team on 18th January, 2010 at 10:32 AM CEST
In our previous Weekly Hot Topic, we asked what everyone wants to win in our Quick Challenges and we have gotten some great gift ideas. Niveditha, Maria and Jake prefer to have gift vouchers of their choice; Krste suggests that we have specially designed C:F student accessories and Jana's idea is to have "C:F language" t-shirts to connect all of us; Another gift idea, first mentioned by Vallabha and seconded by many is a certificate for participating in Challenge:Future, recognizing C:F members efforts and talents. C:F team will certainly take all these suggestions into consideration on the next Quick Challenge. Thank you everyone for your great comments!
This week, we want to switch the focus back to the theme of our initiative: Sustainability.
So this week we ask: In your opinion, what is the most promising green technology? Which green technology are you interested in the most? Heard about or better yet working on some futuristic technology that the public is not yet aware? Tell us!
Also, don't forget to help us increase the C:F donation to Haiti by checking out our member story from Johanny regarding the earthquake.
*Find out more from Green Technology - What is it: http://www.green-technology.org/what.htm
Sayanee Basu | C:F staff
I know it's cliche... but it's Solar power for me! If we can harness this power during the day and use it to power our houses, factories and gadgets, we can totally reduce carbon emission.
A very interesting picture on how much land area we need for solar power can be found here:
http://www.landartgenerator.or g/blagi/wp-content/uploads/200 9/08/AreaRequired1000.jpg
18th January, 2010 @ 12:30 PM CEST
Saad Khan | Action team | CF Chapters
I think hybrid cars are a great Green technology which in future if available to common man can change the impact of fueled cars on the environment.
Not sure though but i heard samsung also came up with a Green Phone. If anyone finds out then please also elighten us. In my view a green cell phone will be avery useful invention.
18th January, 2010 @ 1:48 PM CEST
Saad Khan | Action team | CF Chapters
http://motortorque.askaprice.c om/news/auto-0906/vauxhall-amp era-wins-green-technology-awar d.asp
Thats an electric car by Vauxhall
18th January, 2010 @ 1:49 PM CEST
For me the most promising and the green is without any doubt, ALGAE BIODIESEL! Other renewable energy sources are "transitory", i mean, you cannot "store" them as fuel. Algae consumes sun & CO2 to grow up, so almost every country d be able to produce it. It is efficient well to wheel, and it will be cheaper than fuel and after my second thesis next year xD. And it is just imitate nature, it is actually what Earth has been doing to balance CO2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =pUONGe66Fb4
18th January, 2010 @ 1:58 PM CEST
Great comments everyone and thanks for all the extra links, very interesting!
@Saad Yes, Samsung has a touch screen mobile phone called Blue Earth with solar panels for charging. I do hope these will become standard in future mobile phones!
18th January, 2010 @ 2:31 PM CEST
I agree with Sayanee , coming from India a sub tropical country blessed with abundant sun light through out the year , I fell Solar energy is the way forward and I believe the cost of solar panels will come down that will enable us to go solar in a really big way
18th January, 2010 @ 3:40 PM CEST
Damjan Obal | C:F staff
Agree with you on Solar Energy. The new systems don't need that much of a direct sun light and they use them even here in Finland where sun doesn't come in vast amounts :) Otherwise another example of green technology are smart houses that use less energy and are almost self-sustainable. Hope the governments will continue to encourage people to build more sustainable homes (better loans, subventions...).
18th January, 2010 @ 4:33 PM CEST
Although the efficiency levels of solar power generators are not encouraging, the potential of their installations around the sun belt is. With continued funding from international and intergovernmental organisations and real, meaningful movement towards supportive policies, I believe solar power could be play a very significant role in accelerating development in less economically developed countries and helping alleviate poverty.
19th January, 2010 @ 11:32 AM CEST
Solar energy technology is as stable and effective as it is going to be for a while - policies are key.
19th January, 2010 @ 11:34 AM CEST
At the same time, I feel we should give more attention to technologies that are not necessarily related to energy production. Technologies that help us use energy and resources more efficiently can affect the world in big ways. As Damjan's comment suggests, governments have significant roles to play. On the other hand, politicians need and want popular support for the most part - society needs to be willing to make changes.
19th January, 2010 @ 11:39 AM CEST
I feel the move to compact fluorescent light bulbs from incandescent ones will be a good indication of public attitude towards making changes.
19th January, 2010 @ 11:40 AM CEST
I agree that solar energy is a promising technology, check out what te Founder of the gameen bank is doing in India. Here´s the link: http://www.e2-series.com/
19th January, 2010 @ 3:20 PM CEST
Considering the feasibility (both technical and economical), I'd say SUN is the source to go for!
20th January, 2010 @ 8:26 AM CEST
I see that solar energy has the most votes until now :) I just came across this interesting article about how solar power is being used to help Haiti recover from the earthquake right now: http://www.worldchanging.com/a rchives/010943.html
And I can't wait to read more comments on this Hot Topic, so please add your thoughts to the discussion!
22nd January, 2010 @ 9:06 AM CEST
The word "green" in green techonology comes from the trees,plants and all the greenery, which is being depleted everyday. So the best "green" technology for me would be a way to increase the number of trees in the world. As that is the major cause of most of our environmental problems.
22nd January, 2010 @ 8:34 PM CEST
Sayanee Basu | C:F staff
I guess the reason why we are so steered towards energy solution for a greener earth is energy is linked to everything! All our technology is powered by energy :)
Apart from green energy, i think the next technological aid must be human - us! While gearing up for a greener earth, it is our individual responsibility to save and converse our daily resources :p
23rd January, 2010 @ 7:03 AM CEST
Shweta Birla | Action team
I feel LED lightbulbs to be the most promising green technology if we talk of lighting industry....
23rd January, 2010 @ 10:25 PM CEST
Water as a fuel!!!!
There are hundreds of millions of motor powered vehicles in the world, and not to mention the other kind of motors. Water-fueled motors can produce electrical power. And the exhaust is still water!
Check the video out...
http://www.reuters.com/news/vi deo?videoId=84561
5th February, 2010 @ 5:10 AM CEST
Alja Sulčič
I think that smart grids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S mart_grid) based on clean energy have a lot of potential to increase our energy efficiency and make our homes more sustainable. If we all had the opportunity to connect to smart grids, I think it would make a big difference.
But we also need to change people's energy use behavior, so I also like the idea of using game mechanics together with smart meters & smart grids, as presented in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =dDR0-QgqiEk
18th January, 2010 @ 11:24 AM CEST