Green technology, also known as clean technology, refers to technology that makes products and processes more environmentally friendly than others; for example, by reducing carbon dioxide emissions or making products more biodegradable. Overall, green technology aims at contributing to environmental sustainability (Financial Times p.np). The production of electric cars is exemplifies green technology, as it replaces oil and gas, which are major agents of environmental pollution. Reduction of carbon emissions will significantly reduced air and water pollution from vehicles, which will lead to improvement of health. Additionally, a decrease of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere implies the reduction of the greenhouse effect a factor that is indicated as the primary cause of global warming (Buekers et al., 21). The climatic conditions of the nations that have embraced electric vehicles are set to improve and so will the health of the people (23). The concern is the reduction in the global temperatures, eliminating carbon emissions that surpass the recommended levels by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (Daniel and Deborah 78). In this case, eclectic cars will play a pivotal role in the reduction of emission of carbon dioxide. There is also need to reduce the carbon emission by over 20 times to reach the goal of IPCC in the next five to 10 decades. Electric vehicles will meet the demand of reduction of emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and by extension, reduction of global temperatures. They have the potential of reducing the pollution caused by the oil and gas. Therefore, it proves that the new technology of electric cars has the potential of addressing the side of Hueseman that also argues the reduction on carbon emission must occur to tame climate change and global warming.
However, the introduction of energy efficient engines is not the absolute answer to the carbon emissions, global warming, and climate change issues. Hence, complementary efforts such as reforestation and sustainable agriculture should be part of the solution. With the plantation of more trees, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will be reduced considerably. These measures are similar to what Huesema finds in the argument that the move to sustainable development and against climate change and global warming must integrate several methods and interventions (34). Notwithstanding this potential in the electric cars to lower carbon emission levels, other interventions must be available. For instance, laws that govern emission level must be improved to ensure that they are effective (Sandalow 78). In addition, there are instances whereby effective laws reestablished but not properly effective, hence they end up not being helpful. Therefore, the relevant governing bodies should see to it that such laws are enforced as intended.
Urbanization unsustainable agriculture and fuel consumption designs must change to favor the move. In essence, Hueseman identifies the issues of reducing carbon emission alongside embracing the technological design of engines that consume clean fuel as determinant of the move to sustainable development (52). However, even with the introduction of electric there will not be a significant reduction in the ozone gases (Buekers et al., 67). Therefore, global warming and climate change would continue. In this regard, electric cars should only be considered a part of wider strategy to combat global warming.
The major wild economies such as USA, Israel, and Denmark have started embracing electric vehicles. Denmark is commercializing the production of the electric cars for the consumption of its local population. USA follows it in adopting electric cars as the means to ending the extreme dependence on oil and gas for public and private transport (Sandalow 193). Israel is set to increase the proportion of electric cars. Indeed, such moves by these countries are positive since they are geared towards the reduction of green gases. Therefore, it can be argued that the move towards ending over dependence on oil and gas it makes it possible to move towards sustainable development. For instance, out of the approximately two billion cars expected to be manufactured, about a quarter to a half of them would be electric. As a result, the reduction in the carbon emission would be significant. However, the level of adoption of this green technology must be sufficient to make considerable positive effects on environmental protection through waste reduction. Hueseman argues that green technology only qualifies as such when it contributes in one way or another to further the pollution reduction method in the immediate previous statement (126). Therefore, the production of these vehicles is in line with his assertion.
It must be noted that the positive gains made by the adoption of the green technology may be revised or be insignificant if vehicles that are electric driven are far less than those that consume petroleum. This will automatically reverse the gain made by the electrical vehicles to the environment since the rate of carbon emission into the environment will still be high. The USA has moved significantly into producing the hybrid cars that integrate the green technology with the traditional ones. Essentially, a hybrid car can be driven by electricity or oil. Unfortunately, the move is insufficient in curbing pollution and its effects as oil use will automatically reduce gains made by electric side. A hybrid car cannot be environmental friendly since it reaches a time when it will consume oil and release noxious carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. According to Hueseman it is impossible to shift to green technology when the gain is unsubstantial (89). In addition, there is an exponential increase of oil driven cars. The carbon emitted by the hybrid vehicles will contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer. When this problem goes global due to population growth and increased used of petroleum-fueled vehicles, the dream to environmental sustainability would be lost. Pragmatic strategies therefore need to be taken so that green technology can be of help in curbing emission of green gases.
Increased adoption of electric vehicles is set to significantly eliminate carbon emissions. Consequently, the climatic conditions and global warming will be stabilized significantly. Therefore, the electric cars would have a potential ability to replace the gloomy future as painted by this source. Moreover, other complementally measures such reforestation need to be taken because electric cars are not wholesome solution to global warming. It should be part of the solution to green gas emission. However, it should be noted that while the production of limited electric cars and hybrid ones may not significantly reduce the emission of carbon dioxide to the environment, it is a move towards the right direction. While they may not majorly help the present generation, future generations will reap a lot because production of electric vehicles is bound to increase. Eventually, they will replace the traditional vehicles and together with the incorporation of other methods of reducing carbon dioxide, the move will see to the end of climate change and global warming.
Work Cited
Buekers, Jurgen, Mirja Van Holderbeke, Johan Bierkens, and Luc Int Panis. “Health and environmental benefits related to electric vehicle introduction in EU countries.” Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 33 (2014): 26-38.
Daniel. Sperling, and Deborah Gordon. Two billion cars: driving toward sustainability. Oxford University Press, 2009.
Financial Times. “Definition of green technology.” lexicon.ft.com/Term?term=green-technology
Huesemann, Michael H. “Can advances in science and technology prevent global warming?.” Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 11.3 (2006): 539.
Sandalow, David B., ed. Plug-in electric vehicles: what role for Washington?. Brookings Institution Press, 2009.