The Top 5 Green Technology Breakthroughs

By Pippa Sorley
Filed Under The Big Picture | 6 Comments

With predictions of our economic collapse, global warming and climactic disasters riddling global discussion, it can seem hard to maintain a positive attitude. The reverberating chant that bellowed through the halls of the Republican National Convention two weeks ago: “DRILL, BABY, DRILL!” certainly didn’t help, leaving many of us feeling hopeless.

Don’t despair yet! There’s good news when it comes to what is known as “green technology”. As we speak, alternative energy projects in a plethora of arenas are transforming research and development centers around the world. The Green Revolution has begun, and it will prove to not only boost our economy, but also holds the potential to save the planet from human destruction.

According to the market research firm CleanTech Group, renewable energy start-ups received $2 billion in venture capital funding in the second quarter of 2008 alone; a 58% increase from its previous year. Today clean technology accounts for 20% of all venture capital funding. This will provide us with thousands of new jobs, economic security, competitiveness in the global marketplace, and, well, hope for a more environmentally responsible future.

So what types of revolutionary green technologies can we look out for? Here is a glimpse into the Top 5 green technological breakthroughs from the past few years that we think will positively impact the way we live:

• DYNAMIC BUILDINGS
• TUBURCLE BLADES
• MICRO-ALGAE
• WAVE & TIDAL POWER
• SOLAR-THERMAL ENERGY

Introduction To Biomimicry
Biologists and scientists such as Janine Benyus discovered years ago that perhaps “man-made” technology isn’t so smart after all. The concept of biomimicry suggests that modern innovators follow the designs that nature has developed to withstand the test of geologic time. If natural designs are superior to anything that us humans have come up with, so why not “mimic nature” in the development of all our modern technologies?

The idea seemed too simple for many engineers and designers, but the theory is catching on. Two modern examples of Biomimicry-based designs include wind turbine blades that have been designed to use the same design as humpback whale fins, and skyscrapers that mimic the movable, dynamic architecture of a tree.

MOVING SKYSCRAPERS

From creating man-made islands visible from space to ski resorts in the middle of the desert, the city of Dubai continues to defy convention. This time however, they’re turning to nature to inspire a whole new type of architecture: dynamic towers.

According to the city’s architecture firm, the new skyscrapers will have 80 floors and stand 1,380 feet tall. Each floor will rotate and move independently (and slowly enough to keep residents from getting motion sickness). Not limited to rotational movement- inhabitants will also be able to extend their own balconies outward so they can soak up the sun - and the constantly changing views!

The movement of the modulated floors will create a building that resembles something out of a sci-fi film; something that should defy the laws of physics. Depending on the time of day and how it reflects light, the variation of shape can make the tower look like the craziest LEGO creation a kid could come up with. The most exciting facet of the new building in motion is its environmental friendliness. According to renowned Italian architect Dr. David Fisher, “the Dynamic Tower is the first building designed to be self-powered, with the ability to generate electricity for itself, as well as for nearby buildings. It achieves this feat with 79 wind turbines, making it a true green power plant.”

The structure will mimic that of a tree. The building’s stable core resembles a thick trunk that runs from the ground up, with the floors acting like branches and leaves that shadow the rhythms of nature. Dr. Fisher states, “Today’s life is dynamic, so the space we are living in should be dynamic as well, adjustable to our needs that change to our concept of design and to our mood. [Our] buildings will follow the rhythms of nature, they will change direction and shape from spring to summer, from sunrise to sunset, and adjust themselves to the weather, these buildings will be alive.”

TUBERCLE BLADES

Inspired by the agility and speed of whales, designs that integrate biomimicry with a host of mechanical components are being built based on the science of fluid dynamics. Wind turbines, fans, pumps and compressors are just a few examples of everyday items that can break through the limitations of conventional technologies by mimicking the design of the whale flipper.

Dr. Frank E. Fish studied the unusual bumps (tubercles) on the leading edge of humpback whale flipper and discovered that they create what he dubbed a “tubercle effect” on surrounding fluid: delaying stall, increasing lift and decreasing drag. This discovery allowed a portal of understanding into the grace and ease by which these huge mammals glide through the ocean. By adding precisely formed versions of those bumps to blades or rotors, his designs have proven to easily overcome the scientific limitations once deemed unavoidable by engineers and scientists.

The possibilities are endless, from more efficient wind and hydroelectric turbines, municipal water systems, farm irrigation, ventilation systems to efficient aircraft wing design, this simple tweak to the shape of blades could dramatically improve thousands of modern technologies.

MICRO ALGAE

Slimy-looking pond scum could save our planet? As we come to terms with the major drawbacks of harvesting crops to fuel our cars, it is essential that we find new renewable fuels that won’t compete with food crops such as soy or corn. Micro-algae could be the answer. This super-organism grows prolifically in areas not suitable for traditional crops and can store massive amounts of oils and starches necessary to make biodiesel or ethanol. Micro-algae has garnered considerable attention lately, since it can produce 30-100 times the oil yield of soybeans on the same acreage, while it’s biomass remnants can be reused as cattle feed supplement or fermented into ethanol.

One of the main obstacles to industrial production of biodiesel from algae is the organism’s reliance on photosynthesis for energy to consume CO2 and produce oils. Solazyme, a San Francisco-based startup, has been working for the past five years on deriving biofuel from algae without sunlight. They are using sugar. Algae are not entirely dependent on sunlight for growth, in fact, they are 1000 times more efficient at producing oils from sugar compared to growth by sunlight. Although the process is still in development, Solazyme’s claim may prove to have revolutionary merit.

SOLAR-THERMAL

Solar power is a well known entity. Although few of us are aware of the embodied energy that is required to design, manufacture and distribute traditional photovoltaic cells to our rooftops, most of us know that it is easily accessible and relatively simple to convert a home or business from electric to solar power.

There’s a new solar game in town and it’s known as solar thermal. Although it may sound like a new type of underwear, solar thermal is a renewable energy that is often referred to as the “other” solar power. Unlike photovoltaic cells that directly converts sunlight into energy, solar thermal uses mirrors to focus sunlight on a liquid that turns into steam and powers a turbine. This key difference means that solar thermal does not rely on direct sunlight to produce energy, and the relatively simple process can store energy for several hours after sundown. Solar thermal plants can also rely on other fuels such as natural gas when it’s dark or cloudy. So, there’s hope for those of us who live in Vancouver, Seattle, London or Stockholm!

OCEAN POWER

Sweden, Scotland and recently the Pacific Northwest of the US have developed energy technology powered by the force of the sea. The technology utilizes the forces of waves and tidal pull to generate electrical energy which is fed straight into national power grids. Wave and tidal power produces zero emissions and leaves no harmful waste. While estimates for solar power in many parts of the world is 1,000 hours a year and for wind power is 2,200 hours a year, it is estimated that wave and tidal power will be available for up to 4,000 hours a year.

The challenge remains: harnessing energy from heaving waves, severe weather, crushing currents and the corrosive power of salt water can seriously thrash expensive equipment. Yet the potential benefits seriously outweigh the drawbacks; the majority of researchers believe that tapping power from our oceans could supply a third of our energy supplies.

While we still have fossil fuels to burn, why not channel them into designing technologies that will allow us to live without the destructive oil habit in a regenerative, clean, energy conserving way?

Voraciously intrigued?

• Check out the Biomimicry Institute to keep up with nature-inspired technological advancements

Green Teens on Planet Earth

Too often, teenagers are seen in an ageist light as the lazy, self-centered, and irresponsible future of our world. It should be exactly the opposite.

A recent survey conducted by Greenpeace and the online teen hangout, Habbo questioned nearly 50,000 teens from 18 different countries on their environmental opinon. Less than 50 percent said their parents express a general concern for the environment, yet, 74 percent agreed that they consider global warming to be a serious problem. Sixty-four percent also said they believe the climate crisis can be solved by people working together; and these green-minded teens are ready to do something about it.

The teenage environmental movement is inspired by celebrities like Miley Cyrus, who sings the eco-pop tune Wake Up America, as well as the cast of The Secret Life of an American Teenager, who promote environmentalist views and film on a set made from recycled wood and materials. And this year the Teen Choice Awards used recycled bottles to make a “blue carpet” that is planed to be reused each year.

Teens aren’t just following their favorite superstars, though. They are joining, and founding environmental groups and demonstrating the leadership skills that will prove crucial to the future of our world.

Do Something

Do Something emphasizes respect, trust, and belief in the power of teen activism. The online community features inspirational videos from celebrities like the Jonas Brothers and Rihanna, and encourages teens to share, read, and learn about human rights, poverty, animal welfare, teen sexuality and violence, and much, much more.

Do Something is also a helpful way to jump-start teen entrepreneurs and their ideas, like the recent group of eco-teens: Team K4A (made up of Kaitlyn, Keegan, Katherine, Kimber, and the lonely “A”, Albert). These five gathered information about hybrid cars, CO2 emissions, and other ways to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle in their Washington community and then used Do Something to help spread the word about their website.

Roots and Shoots

Founded by Jane Goodall and 16 inspired students in 1991, Roots and Shoots connects thousands of international kids, teens, and college students who want to make a positive difference for people, animals, and the environment. The organization helps empower youth by promoting local campaigns, programs, and volunteer work in areas that focus on each member’s individual strengths.

One of the most impressive is 13-year-old Peter A.’s group: the Green Eagles, from Silver Spring, Maryland. The Eagles have not only implemented sustainable gardening and composting projects within their community, but they have also raised over one thousand dollars in donations for the Jane Goodall Institute. This school year, Peter’s plans include lobbying for healthier school lunches and selling energy-efficient light bulbs at fund-raising events.

Action for Nature

Founded as early as 1982 by environmentalist, Shimon Schwarzschild, Action for Nature focuses on “encouraging young people to take personal action to nurture and protect a healthy environment on which all life depends”. In addition to tips and resources, the website holds the annual International Young Eco-Hero Awards which highlights impactful youths from across the globe.

The 2008 winners include 14-year-old Alexander Lin of the United States, who set up a program to help end e-waste exports from America to developing countries; 16-year-old Linus Wafula of Kenya, who created the Mazingara Safi Campaign in his poor, heavily polluted Nairobi community to help gather and properly dispose of toxic waste and trash; and 16-year-old Vania Santosa of Indonesia, the “dirtiest country in the world”, who implemented a system of recycling, composting, and publicly educating her East Java community about environmental harm.

Other organizations and teen info sources include the Global Youth Action Network (GYAN), Teens for Planet Earth, the Student Conservation Association (SCA), the Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC), and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Your Environment, Your Choice teen website and High School Environmental Center.

With encouragement and support, our global youth can take responsibility as leaders for a healthy, sustainable future. We need to educate the global community about what these young people are doing for the Earth and learn how to view the potential they hold as an invaluable resource.

Some of us have heard the term "FSC-certified" before, especially when shopping for furniture or paper products. The Forest Stewardship Council was established in 1992 to improve forest management worldwide and has been certifying wood-based products for more than 15 years. But there's a new certification trend in town: eco-friendly rubber?

Rubber is used to manufacture thousands of our every day products. We use it to rub out our mistakes (pencil erasers), rub elbows on the tennis courts (tennis shoes), and even rub up against each other (condoms). Rubber is ubiquitous, but one rarely thinks of where it comes from...rubber as a product sourced from the Amazon Rainforest.

The rubber tree produces a sap that is extracted just like maple syrup. This sap is known as latex, and is typically harvested when the trees are 5-6 years old. Incisions are made just deep enough to tap the vessels without harming the tree's growth, and the sap is collected in small buckets. This process is known as rubber tapping.

Though most rubber tree plantations are found in Indonesia, rubber trees are indigenous to the Amazon Rainforest. When Amazonian "rubber tappers" a.k.a. "seringuieros" are able to make a living wage from harvesting in the forest, it reduces greatly the likelihood that they may sell their land to timber companies for a quick, one-time payoff. This is a perfect example of when conscious commerce lends to both social and environmental sustainability at the same time, while also turning a profit a.k.a. serving the Triple Bottom Line.

Many companies in the US and Europe are starting to realize that they can participate in sustaining healthy economies and ecosystems abroad while sourcing the highest quality raw materials for their products. Anne O'Loughlin uses FSC-certified rubber to make the soles of her sneakers at her fair trade shoe company, Autonomie Project. According to Anne, "All natural rubber certified by the FSC is truly the most environmentally-friendly alternative possible for the soles of the shoes...The rubber earns its certification because it is completely natural with no added toxins or chemicals, and is tapped from a tree...in a sustainable manner."

Interested in the Forest Stewardship Council? Take action!

• Look for the label and ask for FSC-certified products when buying lumber, paper, and rubber
  
• Source FSC-certified materials, if you manufacture items with rubber, paper, or wood
• Become a FSC member and vote on issues at the FSC General Assembly

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines cosmetics as "articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body...for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance." That definition covers a lot more products than just eye shadow and foundation. It includes everything from lipstick and lotion to deodorant, shaving cream, toothpaste and mouthwash. Both women and men regularly use products that are defined as "cosmetics." The average person uses as many as 25 personal care products everyday, coming into contact with as many as 100 chemicals before breakfast.

Shockingly, the US government is not regulating the safety of these chemicals. The FDA does not test the chemicals in any cosmetic product before it hits store shelves and is not authorized to require recalls of cosmetics that are found to contain toxins. Cosmetics companies are not required by the FDA to register their company, provide information on the ingredients used in their products, or to report injuries related to their products. The FDA has banned or restricted the use of only 9 of the over 12,000 ingredients commonly used in cosmetics. The European Union, on the other hand, has much more stringent standards and has banned more than 1,000 chemicals thought to be carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins.

So who is responsible for regulating the safety of cosmetic ingredients in the US? The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, or CIR, established in 1976 and funded by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association is responsible for this task. Sound a bit inbred? Perhaps. The CIR is also a voluntary program and has reviewed only about 11% of all ingredients used in cosmetics.

This brazen lack of accountability has led to some very dangerous chemicals in our cosmetics. Lead is a major ingredient of many lipsticks and, in the US, it's a legal ingredient in cosmetics-no matter how high the amount. When California tried recently to ban its use, the beauty industry lobbied against it so hard that the bill was overturned. A proven neurotoxin, lead was banned from use in paints. So while it's illegal to paint our walls with lead, it's perfectly legal to paint our faces with it.

Besides lead, there are a variety of other toxic, as well as just plain foul, ingredients commonly used in cosmetics. Phthalates, used often in perfumes and nail polish remover, are a chemical plasticizer and solvent that have even been found in babies' bloodstreams. Cow placenta and "ethically sourced" human placenta are also sometimes used as ingredients. Ahem...did you say human placenta? Watch out for ingredients such as "placental protein" and collagen if you're not interested in various human or animal parts in your daily skin regimen.

Cosmetic ingredients are not, however, all dire. There are organic and natural body care companies that have adhered to strict guidelines on the purity of their ingredients for years. Other companies are taking action and pledging to make their cosmetics safer. In March, Whole Foods began screening products for safety and environmental impact. They placed a Premium Body Care seal on products that are free from synthetic fragrance and that don't contain about 250 synthetic chemicals that are commonly used in cosmetic products. CVS has promised to remove chemicals linked to poor health from its house-branded products, as well as to increase placement of products that are safer alternatives.

So, what can you do to ensure you're getting the safest and most environmentally sound body care products?

• Start with the products you use every day: read the labels, investigate any mysterious ingredients, and replace toxic products with organic and chemical-free alternatives.
• Check the Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database where they rate the safety of various cosmetics brands on a scale of 1-10.
• Check out the Greener Alternatives list by Teens For Safe Cosmetics and avoid their "Dirty Dozen Plus" list...

1. Butyl Acetate
   
2. Butylated Hydroxytoluene
   
3. Coal Tar
   
4. Cocamide DEA/Lauramide DEA
   
5. Diazolidinyl Urea
   
6. Ethyl Acetate
   
7. Formaldehyde
   
8. Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl)
   
9. Petrolatum
10. Phthalates
11. Propylene Glycol
    
12. Sodium Laureth/Sodium Laurel Sulfate
    
13. Talc
14. Toluene
15. Triethanolamine

Baubles, bands, and beads have been crafted, bartered, sold, and stolen for thousands of years. The oldest jewelry ever discovered was a collection of mollusk shell beads from South Africa dating back more than 75,000 years. As it turns out, self-adornment is virtually as old as the human race. The word "jewelry" comes from the Latin word jocale, meaning "plaything." And though we may think of these trinkets as lighthearted and amorous "playthings," the negative impact from jewelry production has become surprisingly colossal in more recent years.

Jewelry designers Ashley Lowengrub and Dara Gerson were appalled to discover the disastrous effects of open pit mining, a common method of gold extraction. Open pit mining first razes the virgin forest of an area, then systematically strips the land, layer by layer, in search of suspected gold. The mined earth is broken into small pieces, then treated with cyanide and sulphuric acid to separate gold from rock. Like black magic, this process transforms a pristine natural habitat into a barren wasteland of toxic waste dumps and chemical cesspools.

Once they understood the massive impact their work could potentially have, Dara and Ashley were compelled to change their own relationships with the precious metal and gem industry. They launched Alkemie Jewelry in January of this year, transforming bullet casings collected from shooting ranges into positively enchanting art nouveau pieces. Alkemie is already sold in chic boutiques from Fred Segal to ABC Home, to cutting edge e-tailers like eConscious Market and ShopBop. The couple has recently expanded to include sterling, gold, nickel, and copper in their recycled metal blends, and makes most of their collection to order.

Dara and Ashley design from their home studio in California's Topanga Canyon, where breathtaking views of the coastal mountains can inspire them. Atop an early 1900's antique work table, amidst vintage jewelry pieces, found objects, and two beautiful young daughters tearing around and throwing in their two cents, Ashley and Dara select and deliberate what new images will be forged. They lovingly describe their environment as "organized chaos."

These seasoned designers bring a savvy intuition to their collection, conjuring their own wild surroundings of Topanga into metallic icons: maidens, mares, owls, foxes, sparrows, insects and angels. Alkemie's timeless beauty, as well as timely green methodologies, have not gone unnoticed by the jewelry industry, still predominantly uninitiated in the concept of sustainability. When asked if they've noticed the recycled metal lines quickly following Alkemie's lead, Ashley and Dara say, "...the more the merrier, hopefully we can make a collective conscious movement." And that may indeed be exactly what they're doing.

Alkemie Jewelry transforms discarded metals into family heirlooms, and like white magic, is quietly transmuting a toxic industry that pillages the planet, into a conscious craft that celebrates it.