nice technology

Insects and human beings are the dominant organisms on this Earth today. The total mass of insects and people are almost equal but the two play very different roles on this planet. Insects are an integral part of Earth's ecosystem. They are the nuts and bolts of this finely tuned machinery whereas human beings are the ones disrupting the work of the ecosystem. We have barged in and we have been sucking on the resources of this planet for billions of years and we have contributed nothing in return. We are the parasites. Within this world of environment and nature we have created a world,in which crops are made to grow faster, a world in which genetic science creates "perfect" flowers, a world in which technology is made to bend the laws of nature.
However, today with the advent of global warming, imminent scarcity of fuel and our own lives at peril we are beginning to realize that reconciliation between these two clashing worlds has become necessary.

Solar Panel is one fine example of technology meeting nature. As the name suggests, solar panels use energy from the sun to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Voltage is created due to the exposure of electromagnetic radiation on the material. Other solar panels are used to concentrate sun's thermal energy at one point to heat up a water body which results in the eventual rise of steam generated power. Solar power can also be stored and used in the absence of sunlight(during nighttime). Through this saving of solar energy astronauts in outer space when their satellites are not facing the sun. Not just in outer space, solar power technology can also be used to provide electricity to ordinary households. In many European countries, for instance- Spain, Germany etc, solar panels account for a significant percentage of electricity supply in households. In fact, a third world county like Bangladesh has 110,000 solar home systems installed in its rural areas. Grameen Shakti lends the solar panels to Bangladeshi villagers and they pay back the cost of the solar panels in installments. Often the money that the villagers save on kerosene bills covers the amount of loans they take from Grameen Shakti. Fire hazards caused by kerosene lamps are avoided and the village markets are able to stay open for longer periods of time. Thus areas in which Grameen Shakti has set up solar panels have improved economically.

Wind mill is another example of nature driven technology. It is a rotating machine which converts the energy of the motion of the wind into electricity. The use of vertical axle windmills dates back to 634 AD. The first practical windmill was invented by the Persians and thus windmill is perhaps the most ancient form of energy generator or converter. One of the most notable organizations working with wind power is RDST Ltd.It is based in UK and supplies roof-mounted wind turbines throughout Edinburgh.

Water turbines also use the same principle of utilizing a source of energy that is available to us for free. These turbines use energy from moving water. As water falls from a height with high potential energy it is able to rotate the turbine and cause generation of power. Hydro power forms nineteen percentage of the world's electricity supply and water wheels have been used for hundreds of years to power mills ans machinery. Using hydro power, practical Action provided electricity to approximately 5000 homes in the remote Andean villages in pure. Heavy rainfalls made the povery stricken area suitable for hydro power generation. Due to the presence of electricity using hydro power the area is now thriving with better job opportunities and better business prospects.

The most remarkable aspect of all of these energy sources is that they are renewable and they are renewable and they are free. It's only the harnessing of these energy sources that takes money. No extra amount of money would need to be spent for the usage of an extra unit of electricity. Once the plants are set up the variable costs associated with its usage become negligible. However, investors are discouraged by the long time it takes for the investment to pay off. Unlike a coal plant, a solar plant or a wind turbine needs a huge financing for set-up. However the long term benefits of using environment friendly technology fare incomparable. Low green-house gas emissions, high energy use efficiency are just a few of the perks of using a solar panel, a wind mill or a water turbine.

"Since the environmental crisis is the result of social mismanagement of the world's resources, then it can be resolved and man can be resolved and man can survive in a human e condition when the social organization of man is brought into harmony with the ecosphere."- Barry commoner, the closing circle : Nature, man and technology (1971)

Thus it is only when science is used in coherence with nature, will the results of human action be constructive and contributory to the workings of our planet.