As our carbon footprint grows and our planet becomes increasingly at risk for destruction, the need for sustainable solutions to combat this seemingly inevitable disaster is all the more paramount. It’s no secret that technology has adversely impacted the environment in plenty of ways, but at the same time, it can offer solutions to make the world a little — or a lot — greener.
BairesDev is an advocate of green tech and it’s committed to helping businesses develop environmentally friendly software and technology. What does this all mean? And how can technology make a positive impact? Let’s take a look at what green tech is all about and how you can leverage it to support your business goals and mission.
What Is Green Tech?
Green tech has two main meanings. One indicates the process by which the technology is built, through environmentally friendly production as an alternative to the environmentally invasive means of manufacturing of the past. Thus, the green manufacturing process uses clean energy to create products.
Another definition refers to the type of technology developers create. Green products are more energy-efficient and leave a lesser carbon footprint than their more traditional counterparts — think hybrid cars, which produce far fewer energy emissions than older models.
Green Software
Software itself is not energy inefficient. However, the development of products can leave a huge carbon footprint, depending on the process by which it’s created and how the end product is used.
That’s why it’s important to know that there are ways to make these processes more sustainable. Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are three innovations that can provide energy-efficient solutions.
For example, AI can assist with wind and solar power solutions by forecasting the weather to help increase energy output on cloudier or less windy days, as well as track energy consumption per appliance. Meanwhile, blockchain powers microgrids, which are freestanding, energy-efficient energy sources that enable the distribution of reliable electricity.
Why Does It Matter?
Green tech is more than just a buzzword. Eliminating waste, reducing your carbon footprint, and improving performance will not only lead to a cleaner, more energy-efficient planet, but it will also help businesses save money — not to mention improve their reputations by demonstrating that they are conscious of their impact. Green solutions present myriad opportunities for organizations to innovate and invest in an industry that’s essential for our changing world.
Businesses in every sector are looking for socially responsible, sustainable solutions to improve their practices and stay true to their missions.
Examples of Green Tech
The Cloud
The cloud in and of itself is not an example of green tech, but if businesses use it with this intention in mind, they can certainly make it an energy-efficient solution. Data centers consume a great deal of electricity. You can make them “greener” by, for example, deploying virtual servers and reducing the duplication of data. The cloud also means that fewer resources, such as hardware, are being used, since this equipment is being shared across multiple users.
Recycling
Recycling doesn’t seem like a particularly “new” or innovative strategy, does it? However, organizations are experimenting with different ways of improving recycling and making it more possible and widespread for businesses and the general public. Automated food waste tracking systems and rain harvesting systems are just two examples of how technology is making recycling even more effective.
For example, there are even apps to track how much food is being thrown out, as well as reveal the reasons behind the waste.
Smart Homes and Appliances
The IoT is the power behind smart homes and appliances, making daily living more energy efficient. By gathering and evaluating data on consumer habits, users can see how much energy they’re consuming. They can also receive insights on how they can reduce their carbon footprint.
Additionally, many of these appliances can work to improve people’s energy consumption habits. For example, you can set timers to turn on and off the heat and lights. You can even remotely control these and other appliances from a mobile app.
When you work with software development firms like BairesDev, you can develop IoT solutions to save energy across homes, buildings, and even cities.
Solar and Wind Energy
Harnessing the power of the sun and wind reduces the reliance on fossil fuels, which, as you probably well know, are terrible for the environment. Solar and wind technologies convert these energies into resources to perform a range of essential activities. These solutions have been around for a long time — centuries even — but innovators have continually developed new means of leveraging them.
For example, photovoltaic solar panels can convert solar power into electricity used to heat water and buildings. Similarly, wind turbines use wind power to generate electricity, too.
Energy-Efficient Vehicles
The Toyota Prius was launched in 1997, making it the first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle. Although it didn’t reach the United States until the early 2000s, today, you’re unlikely to pass a busy street block without seeing at least one of these popular cars.
Part of the appeal of hybrids is that they’re far more energy-efficient than previous models of mass-produced vehicles. They use far less gasoline than more traditional vehicles, instead of relying on energy within batteries, along with a smaller amount of gasoline — hence the “hybrid” moniker.
Now, this isn’t the only type of energy-efficient car available. For example, Tesla produces a variety of electric cars.
Let’s Build a Greener Future
Reducing our carbon footprint is a shared goal for many. It will lead to a better, healthier, and more sustainable planet for our generation and future generations. With greener technology, we can make this possible.
Are you looking to make your products and development processes more environmentally friendly? BairesDev can help. We’ll work with you to create solutions to incorporate green tech into your business and products. Learn more about how we can partner together to support a greener world.
