Great Green Idea: Green Technology: The Fallacies of Green Technology

The Fallacies of Green Technology

Not one person who is living doubts that help is needed to preserve and restore the earth's natural resources. It is common knowledge that the mistreatment of the planet has had negative ecological consequences that can be detrimental to the future of the earth as we know it if left unchecked. There have been numerous efforts from all sources to try to find solutions to correct these problems. It may be questionable whether some of these efforts are as helpful as they may seem on the surface. There are open discussions everywhere about whether green technology is helpful, or actually harmful, to the environment it is created to protect. Two of these technologies that have been debated recently are ethanol and hybrid vehicles.

The creation of ethanol was meant to be the answer to energy dependence apart from stripping the environment or reliance on other countries. Fossil fuels have been depleted from overuse over many decades, and ethanol was reported to be just the alternative fuel source needed. At first glance, running cars on fuel made from corn was thought of as a perfect solution. Digging further into the facts reveals that due to the large amount of energy needed to produce ethanol, the gain is very limited. It has been said that the amount of corn needed to produce enough ethanol to gain independence would take away much more farmland than expected. Therefore, some conclude that it is not the eco-friendly fuel source so highly thought of by the masses. But in all fairness, is dismissing this alternative fuel source the answer when there is still research going on to improve its use? Many people feel that this solution should be scrapped and the government should go back to the drawing board. Others, however, are willing to give this green technology a chance to evolve into a viable solution.

For years, eco-friendly consumers have chosen hybrid cars over the gas guzzling vehicles. Most car manufacturers have at least a line or two of green vehicles for sale for those concerned with ecological issues like carbon footprints and climate warming. These drivers do not blink an eye at having their cars converted to electricity, sometimes costing them up to an extra $10,000 above the price of the car. But the business minded consumer is starting to learn that the return on investment is not what was imagined. In fact, an average return on investment is twelve years for a conversion that costs $7,500. In the business world, that is a dismal return indeed. Usually, consumers that can afford the cost for the conversion are looking at how the investment will affect their bottom line. Whether they measure a successful return on investment by dollars alone is yet to be seen.

In their enthusiasm, people who fight for the environment may seem as though they believe that every eco-friendly idea or product is the perfect answer to all the planet's woes. The fact is, while certainly hopeful, the average person knows that green technology has its flaws. But it is just such hope that keeps the creative juices flowing for new ideas and technologies that will further help. It will also result in finding ways to breathe new life into those that have already been introduced.