10.4 - Green Technology

Definition of Green Technology

• Green technology: Development and application of products, equipment and systems to preserve the environment and nature while minimising or reducing the negative impacts of human activities.

Four Pillars of the National Green Technology Policy (2009)

• Energy.
• Environment.
• Economy.
• Social.
• The policy emphasises national economic growth and sustainable development that meets current needs without neglecting the needs of future generations.

Criteria of Green Technology Products

• Minimise environmental degradation.
• Low or zero greenhouse-gas emissions.
• Safe to use and provide healthier, better surroundings for all living things.
• Efficient use of energy and natural resources.
• Encourage the use of renewable resources.

Applications of Green Technology

• Green buildings use energy, water and building materials efficiently:
  • Solar panels convert solar energy into electrical energy for lighting.
  • Rainwater catchment systems provide water for watering plants and cleaning toilets.
  • Recycled building materials are encouraged.
• Green buildings:
  • reduce negative effects of development on human health;
  • reduce negative effects of construction on the environment;
  • save operation, maintenance and construction costs.
• Community practices:
  • Produce eco-enzymes from fruit waste as cleaning agents.
  • Recycle kitchen and food waste to make natural fertiliser or crop growth boosters.
  • Produce biogas from organic solid waste.
  • Use banana peels to make flour for natural bioplastic production.
  • Produce liquid foliar fertiliser from kitchen waste for use as a vegetable growth booster.

Application of Social Science to Solve Environmental Problems

• Social science uses scientific methods to study humanity; education and communication help solve environmental problems and challenges.
• Environmental education aims to create a population that is aware of and concerned about the environment and its problems.
• Objectives of environmental education:
  • Increase individual and community awareness of environmental conditions and problems.
  • Provide knowledge about the environment, its problems, and each individual’s role and responsibility.
  • Develop skills to solve environmental problems.
  • Encourage care for, protection and improvement of the environment.
• Communication uses mass media, pamphlets, magazines, posters and films.
• Activities include campaigns to reduce tree cutting and preserve water and soil, large-scale gotong-royong in residential areas, schools, recreation parks and beaches, and cleanliness and beautification competitions.