There is a long history of sustainable innovation, from the wind energy of 5000 BC to homes built from lava in Paleolithic times. However, over recent years, there has been more focus on the negative effects of human activity on our planet—green technology seeks to reduce these adverse impacts. Green technology goes beyond solar panels. Here are five developments in the green tech sector for 2024.
Carbon Capture
Rising levels of carbon in our atmosphere could cause a 4.4 C increase in the Earth’s temperature by 2100. This has given rise to the need for carbon capture and storage, a process of pulling carbon from the atmosphere and making synthetic fuel.
Courtesy: Labtag Blog
This is a very expensive endeavor now, but it promises to become more scalable. Research done at Stanford University has yielded some pointers toward making carbon capture less expensive.
Circular Waste Management
The concept of upcycling, which means using what was formerly called waste as a raw material for something new, has been popular for years. In this year, it’ll gain even more ground.
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The bottom line of circular waste management is that there is no waste– everything is a raw material for something, from fuel to clothes. Innovative companies are coming up with new upcycling strategies globally.
Renewable Energy Storage
In 2024, fossil fuels will be gone, and renewables will be coming in. As more companies have started using renewable energy from the sun and wind, the issue of storage has become prevalent.
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For days when the sun doesn’t shine or there’s no wind to spin turbines, there has to be a way of storing energy for long periods. Different companies are developing renewable energy storage solutions.
Sustainable Buildings
Another green technology trend that will prevail this year is smart, low-carbon buildings. Sustainable buildings are imperative since traditional buildings are responsible for 38% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
Courtesy: Freepik
Sustainable buildings require minimal heating and cooling and emit little or no carbon across their lifespan. Made with sustainable materials like hemp and bamboo, these buildings produce their own energy.
Hydrogen-powered Vehicles
Of course, it’s no longer news that there are battery-powered electric vehicles; hydrogen-powered vehicles are a more advanced development. In clear terms, these vehicles run on hydrogen- not regular fuel or batteries.
Courtesy: Robb Report
Hydrogen-powered vehicles are already being sold worldwide- this could help cut transport emissions from fossil fuels. Hydrogen has been predicted to power more than 400 million cars and 20 million buses by 2050.