The world faces significant challenges in regard to environmental threats.  These challenges are bound to aggravate in the near future. With a growing population, urbanization, and the effects of global warming, the sustainable handling of the earth’s limited resources has become a burning issue for the world to achieve. The advent of this century has brought in several technological advancements to the world. The domains of technology has extended itself to environmental protection as well. While developed countries like the US, UK, Germany, etc. have some significant tech innovations for the environment, developing countries like India, South Africa, Vietnam, etc. still have vast potential to be discovered in aspects of environment technology. Environmental waste handling technologies will continue to play an important role in addressing these challenges across the 21^stcentury. 

Environmental Technologies or Technologies for the Environment?

Researchers have distinguished the to terminologies  "Environmental Technologies" and "Technologies for the Environment". These two hold a varying meaning. 

Environmental Technology usually refers to specific technologies that are used only for the purpose of solving environmental problems. Examples include carbon-scrubbing filters, waste reduction technologies, water purification machines etc.

Technology for Environment refers to any technology that, while fulfilling its primary roles, also uses less energy, produces less GHG emissions and generates less waste and waste water - essentially promoting sustainable development in the long run.

How does technology affect society and environment?

It is general knowledge to know that if you have great flow of transport and communication systems around you, there is ease in conducting daily routine activities. Nearly everything you see and use in this age is science or technological. From your house to your car, your computer and even your cloths, everything uses earthly products manipulated by technological services. The imprints of environmental technology are so vast that you dot even care to notice its presence in daily life. 

The level of technological use in daily environment can be used to define the status of a society, whether it lives in a primitive state or had it advanced over the due course of time. Most developed countries have extreme use of tech services, while countries behind are yet to grow.

India’s environmental tech progress

India has been very innovative with their tech progress with regard to environment over the past few decades. States like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, etc. rank high on innovation. Some interesting innovations are as follows-

·     Toro Cooling Systems, in Maharashtra produce an energy-efficient air-conditioner. This tech is responsible to cut down carbon dioxide release to almost half of what is produced by regular air conditioners. The emissions are kept on a check with these ACs. Many other such innovations are listed at- https://yourstory.com/2015/06/sustainable-indian-innovations

·     Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) is globally popular for many tech innovations. For an environmental cause, they have developed several innovation such as Wind augmentation and purifYing units (WAYU device)- aimed to reduce air pollution, energy efficient Hybrid Cooling systems, Integrated Wetland Technology and many more. You can further read about the innovations at- https://www.ircc.iitb.ac.in/IRCC-Webpage/rnd/PDF/IITB_Technologies_licensed_revised_brochure_March_2017.pdf