Technology and green don’t have to be at odds with each other. In fact, green technology is becoming more common than ever before. Once upon a time “to be green” suggested a certain lack of sexiness. I think it’s safe to say that the mentality of green not being sexy has gone out the window. Working in the technology industry has shown me that just because I’m working with bleeding edge gadgets doesn’t mean I can’t still have an eye on eco-friendly alternatives.
The automotive industry is responsible for a lot of problems within the environment—but it’s also doing its part to lighten its carbon footprint. Green technologies are becoming more common in the industry, in ways that benefit both the environment and the consumer. You might not even know about some of the advances in eco-friendly auto technology, but you’ll want to find out before buying your next car.
Your carbon footprint is a tabulation of all the CO2 emissions you’ve created throughout your life, due to the gas you’ve used, the oil, the heating, and even some of the food you’ve eaten. Keeping track of your family’s carbon footprint opens your eyes to how much energy you’re wasting and how it impacts the planet. Only by knowing the part you play in creating greenhouse gases can you become more eco-friendly.
You’ve decided to go green. Maybe you bought a hybrid, or are installing energy-efficient appliances throughout your home. These big-ticket items are a great way to do your part for helping the environment, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Your eco-friendliness can extend throughout all rooms of your house—even into your bathroom.
These days, we see solar panels set up as a future investment by many house owners in spite of its initial price. Well, I don’t deny that it takes a lot of money to start with. But later, I bet that you can have better financial advantages that will help you to make up for this investment. And, this will not only be a good investment but will also help you to make your house greener. Also, you will greatly benefit if your house is located in an area where there is good sunlight. If this is the case, then your solar panel will be more effective. Another perk of installing a solar panel is that it does not give out any greenhouse gases. Under many circumstances, solar panels can benefit you a lot.
California’s startup auto company Tesla just won the 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year for its Model S, an electric car. Analysts have lauded the start-up for winning against bigger established automotive companies. Not only did the Model S win this prestigious award, but it also exceeded its projected sales by 250 units. Tesla expects to be profitable for the first quarter of 2013 and shows incredible promise as a start-up headed for long-term sustainability. And according to Phil Lebeau of CNBC, the model S outsold the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt last month. So, the question on everyone’s minds: how long / will it last?
Biodiesel has been a hot topic among the ecologically conscious for decades, but only recently has it risen to mainstream prominence. Despite the major advances in biofuel technology in 2011 that U.S. Green technology recently wrote about, there are concerns with the effectiveness of biofuels in many circles.
Some states have more green energy jobs to offer than others. I looked at a variety of reports spanning from 2007 to 2012, and here are five states that were mentioned repeatedly as some of the greenest job spots across the U.S. California earned the number one position on a number of lists, including a study by Pew Charitable Trusts in 2007, and a Job Spider search done in 2010. The Golden State leads the nation in solar energy, but they’re also invested in wind, and outstrip every other state in their number of organic farms (over 2,000).
