Green Technology for Environmental Sustainability

A green vehicle is an eco-friendly vehicle that does not emit fumes into the environment, such as an electric car powered by a battery or a solar car powered by energy from the Sun p. 51.

4.1 Environmental Sustainability

The advancement of technology has brought negative effects to the environment, such as an increase in environmental pollution and a decrease of natural resources p. 52. All the efforts and initiatives to spread awareness on environmental sustainability are regarded as Green Technology p. 52. Green Technology is the development and application of products, equipment and systems used to conserve the environment and nature, as well as minimising and reducing the negative effects of human activities p. 52. It is important in overcoming the destruction of the environment, reducing carbon emissions, improving human health and lifestyle, and conserving natural resources by applying renewable energy sources p. 52.

The National Green Technology Policy was launched in July 2009 p. 53. Its four pillars are energy (promoting energy efficiency and seeking energy independence), environment (minimising negative effects and conserving the environment), economy (enhancing the economy through technology) and social (improving the quality of life for all) p. 53. Energy efficiency refers to the use of less energy to carry out work at the same or higher rate without affecting the production and the quality of the desired outcome p. 53. Malaysia’s energy efficiency initiatives include energy efficiency labels for electrical appliances, the Green Building Index (GBI), and campaigns on energy efficiency technology, solar electricity and energy-saving practices p. 53.

Green Technology is divided into sectors for a more focused implementation p. 54. The energy sector focuses on cleaner, carbon-free alternative energy to replace fossil fuels, such as hydroelectric, solar and wind p. 54. The agriculture and forestry sector focuses on controlling the rate of carbon dioxide in the air and on soil nutrient care, and the transportation sector on cleaner infrastructure, vehicle fuel and public transportation p. 54. The building sector focuses on Green Building construction such as the Diamond Building, the Energy Commission headquarters p. 55. The industrial and manufacturing sector focuses on energy efficiency and energy management to reduce the greenhouse effect, haze and acid rain p. 55.

4.2 Energy Sector

Socio-scientific issues are open problems that are controversial social issues related to science, and they emphasise moral and scientific applications on real-world situations p. 56. Examples related to the environment are global warming, air pollution, deforestation, water pollution and indiscriminate waste disposal p. 56. Emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities cause climate change, and the greenhouse effect causes droughts, flash floods, an increase in Earth’s temperature, thunderstorms and the destruction of biodiversity p. 56.

In the energy sector, the use of non-renewable sources such as petroleum, coal and natural gas increases each year, and if this continues fossil fuels will soon be depleted p. 57. The burning of fossil fuels produces large amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, making global warming increasingly critical, and causes extreme climate changes that lead to long droughts and natural disasters p. 57.

The energy sector is the main sector in Green Technology, and it emphasises how energy is produced or supplied and the efficiency in usage and distribution of energy produced p. 58. Wind is a clean energy source that can replace fossil fuel in the future, and hydro energy is one of the main energy sources in the world to generate electricity p. 58. Kenyir Dam in Terengganu is the largest hydroelectric dam in Peninsular Malaysia; it controls overflowing flood water and generates electricity p. 58. Solar energy has potential to be developed because Malaysia gets enough sunlight throughout the year, while geothermal energy needs suitable geographical factors p. 59.

Maximising renewable energy reduces the carbon dioxide in the air, which indirectly reduces the greenhouse effect and climate change p. 59. Consumers should save electricity by switching off electrical appliances when they are not in use, adjusting the air-conditioner temperature to 24°C – 25°C and using energy efficient electrical appliances p. 59.

4.3 Waste and Wastewater Management Sector

Changes in lifestyle and socio-culture, rapid development and a growing global population have increased solid waste and wastewater disposal p. 60. Sewage, chemical wastes and rubbish disposed into rivers and seas interfere with their ecosystems, and the production, management and decomposition of solid waste increase greenhouse gases p. 60. Around 268 million tons of paper is produced in a year, and to produce 1 ton of paper we need 2 to 4 tons of timber p. 60.

Green Technology in this sector reduces the greenhouse effect efficiently besides saving costs p. 61. Consumers are encouraged to control paper usage and to prepare sufficient food to prevent food wastage p. 61. Biological treatment converts solid waste into organic fertilisers and into biomass, a renewable energy source that can replace fossil fuel p. 61. Since 2015, the government has encouraged all households to sort their household waste, which reduces solid waste at landfills p. 61. The 5R concept (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recovery) replaced the 3R concept, and the added ‘refuse’ and ‘recovery’ aim at achieving zero waste p. 61.

4.4 Agriculture and Forestry Sector

Deforestation for new settlements or agriculture, if not controlled, leads to landslides, floods and the extinction of flora and fauna p. 62. Forests are like the ‘lungs of Earth’, because the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen can only be done by plants during photosynthesis p. 62. Open burning by farmers can cause severe haze that compromises air quality across the country and neighbouring countries p. 62. The landslide on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway on 11 November 2015 was believed to be caused by indiscriminate logging in Lentang Forest Reserve p. 63. Widespread use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers increases the acidity of the soil, and the chemicals also flow into nearby rivers and contaminate them p. 63.

Treating and processing agricultural waste into compost is a Green Technology practice that controls the balance of nature p. 64. Logging activities have to be regulated to conserve forest resources, and more forest reserves have to be gazetted to maintain a balanced ecosystem p. 64.

4.5 Transportation Sector

The transportation sector is one of the main contributors to air pollution p. 65. Vehicle fumes contain carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, both greenhouse gases that contribute to drastic climate change p. 65. 95% of motorised vehicles run on petrol and diesel, and about 60% of the petroleum in the world is used in transportation, so this non-renewable source can deplete p. 65. Dangerous gases from vehicles can cause acid rain, which destroys plants, corrodes buildings and irons, and damages tyres on vehicles p. 66.

Green transportation refers to any form of transportation that releases very minimal greenhouse gases or none at all, such as walking, cycling and using green vehicles p. 66. Natural gas vehicles use either liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG), and petrol vehicles can be modified to use them p. 67. Biofuel is fatty acid methyl ester produced from plant oils and animal fats; it is a renewable energy source and more environmentally-friendly p. 67. Melaka has begun using electric buses to transport passengers around the city p. 67.

4.6 Green Technology and Life

Carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gas, such as carbon dioxide, released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities such as open burning and burning of fossil fuels p. 68. We should apply Green Technology in our life to reduce the carbon dioxide released into the environment, and hence reduce our carbon footprint p. 68.