Individual Topical Review Outline

Hi follks!

The topic I have chosen for my individual paper outline is 'Green Technology'. I have decided to focus on one aspect and it is the Revolution of 'Green' Cars.

I must say it was rather difficult to choose a specific type of innovation to focus on, especially when there are so many different kinds of green technology ideas! From solar panels to green concrete, there are simply too many to pick from! However, in today's society, I feel that cars- our basic mode of transportation, is so essential in our daily lives that if one day we do not have coal or fossil fuels left to generate the power of our vehicles, our lives will change drastically. Although we have trains, which are generated by electricity, those alone are not enough to transport us to any area or corner in the world. Therefore, I feel that everyone should support the use of hybrid and electric cars, as they will essentially be the type of vehicles that will facilitate our commutation.

Thank you for taking time to read this post and your comments are kindly appreciated :)

Review Report Outline and Brief Description of Proposed Approach

Topic: Green Technology- ‘Green’ Cars

Executive Summary:

à What is green technology à it is the creation of environmentally friendly goods that encompass recycling, reusing, reducing waste, energy efficiency, conservation of resources, safety and health risks, and more.à In this paper, I will focus on one particular innovation: ‘Green’ carsà include Mild Hybrid, full Hybrid, The Range Extender and Fully Electric cars

àHistory of electric carsàhow these cars were invented in the 1900s and how it went into extinction in 1990sà now, the ‘wave’ of electric cars is back

à The great change these cars had made and what were the implications of this significant innovation. This paper also includes my thoughts on the possible policies/actions we can enforce to ensure the sustainability of this innovation (prevent the extinction of these cars again)

Introduction/Background/ History:

(Past)

àGreen Technology was not invented in the 21^st Century; it started way back in the 1800s. People then saw the need to develop alternative sources of energy to create a cleaner and greener environment for mankind to live in. Resources such as coal and fossil fuels are non-renewable and will soon be diminished.

à Renewable resources of energy include the invention of windmills, solar-powered panels and battery-powered cars for transportation.

àIn the 20^th Century, electric cars were popular, as they did not contribute much to noise and air pollution as compared to the gasoline cars and their engines were easier to start. General Electric invented the battery-powered car EV1 in the 1990s. Mayor Michael Bloomberg encouraged people to buy hybrid cars and an electric taxi company was flourishing as it brought service to an entire metropolis.

àHowever, due to the decrease in prices for gasoline cars and the fact that gasoline provides more power per galloon, the demand for electric cars declined and almost became extinct. Only the upper class could afford electric cars as they had massive carriages with fancy interiors.

(Present)

à The Electric cars are back. Car companies are looking into reducing the level of car emissions and increasing fuel efficiency. (As they are pressured by strict government regulations, energy security concerns and high oil prices)

(Future)

à It is predicted (by the boston consulting group) that by 2020, most people will be driving hybrid cars

Issues/Challenges/Key Observations

à More often than not, ‘green’ products such as these cars may soon be depleted if the demand for them is not high enough. Businesses who have the visions to produce and sell such products to consumers are relying on the customers’ needs and wants as well. However, if the demand is not there, companies are not able to continue supplying goods. Thus this poses a great challenge for green technology in sustaining the environment.

à Alternative fuels can reduce carbon emissions up to 25% à however, it is very costly to install additional gas tank and necessary funneling infrastructure à Who is going to invest?

à It is said in China and India that replacing the internal-combustion engine vehicles with electric cars will not make much of a difference in carbon emissions today/year 2020 because the operations (power mix) in electric cars are so carbon intensiveà the emission is almost as much as using conventional cars.

Discussion and Analysis:

(Answers to the following questions will be discussed more in depth here)

à The question ‘Can technology replace today’s economy that was built on the usage of non-renewable sources of energy – fossil fuels and coal?’ à Can these electric cars completely eradicate the internal-combustion engine vehicles in the near future (widely used today)? à What may be the implications if these cars dominate?

àIt was technology, which accelerated the economy’s growth, and it was technology, which determined the direction corporations had geared towards the past few decades (manufacturing, burning of natural resources to produce energy Etc.).

àWill technology be the tool that can change the methods of production and improve the economy at the same time? Alexis Madrigal (senior editor at the Atlantic) said that ‘ Technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is influenced by society – and society, as Madrigal points out, can and does change, which gives us hope for the future ‘

Taking Things Forward/ Opportunities

à ‘ If green technology is going to make a difference, it’s going to be corporate big. It would be a worthwhile trade’.

à Need stronger federal support for green technology to dominate our society and save our environment à Focus on the ways we can ensure the sustainability of these green carsà Roles of stakeholders, government, automotive companies and consumers will be discussed here.

à If more governments can learn from Europe (uses renewable and nuclear energy)à power mixing will be cleanerà the processes, in generating electricity to charge the electric cars, release less carbon emissionsà overall carbon emissions will be reduced tremendously.

à Other than providing tax incentives to automobile companies and consumersàthe government could educate/encourage its citizens to think long term à Perhaps come up with a policy such as subsidizing the next generation’s electric car when parents have purchased the first one

Conclusion:

à Green technology is probably the key to preserve the environment and ensure the future of mankind.