GOING GREEN!

What Are “Green Technologies?”

“Going Green” means adopting environmentally friendly technologies that are designed to minimize negative impacts upon our air, earth, and water.  In addition, there are new categories of Green Technologies that are engineered to be good for our environment.  Typical examples of Green Technologies include:

• Energy saving bulbs and lighting fixtures
• High efficiency heating systems
• High efficiency air conditioning systems
• Tankless hot water heaters and solar hot water technology
• Hybrid cars and trucks
• Solar electric systems
• Wind turbines
• High efficiency lubricants
• Electronic energy control systems
• Environment management systems
• Cogeneration equipment
• Insulation materials

 

Why is Going Green so important?  The United States uses a lot of energy—nearly a million dollars worth each minute, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. With less than five percent of the world’s population, the United States consume about one fourth of the world’s energy resources. We are not alone. People in Asia and Europe also use a large amount of energy.

The average American consumes six times more energy than the world average. Every time we fill up our cars or open our energy bills, we notice the cost of that energy. Based upon presently available technologies, as much as 60% of all the energy consumed in the United States is wasted… according to some estimates.  This is not to say that we can immediately reduce energy consumption by almost two thirds.  It is to say that new Green Technologies are substantially more efficient than prior energy consuming equipment… and we can significantly decrease waste associated with the production and transport of electricity.  Consider that a standard 90watt incandescent bulb can be replaced with a compact fluorescent bulb that produces the same light (lumens) with only 18 watts.  Moreover, the compact fluorescent bulb can last more than seven times longer.  If all incandescent bulbs were replaced with more efficient lighting, we could reduce overall greenhouse gasses by billions of tons per year!

THE “GREEN BALANCE™” AND THE GEX PHILOSOPHY

In reality, the Green Movement is very young and science is just beginning to develop, and embrace Green Technologies.  It is important for each of us to understand that there are “balances” associated with much of today’s Green Technologies that can have a very serious impact upon Green Movement goals.  For example, most compact fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury.  Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that is associated with a variety of illnesses and negative environmental impacts.  On the other hand, even more mercury is released by burning coal to generate electricity and steam.  Thus, the increased efficiency of using compact fluorescent bulbs balances against the reduction of mercury released by burning coal.

However, registering your compact fluorescent bulbs with the GEX allows us to track mercury held by GEX participants.  The GEX can provide facilities for properly disposing bulbs and other products so that hazardous materials can be recycled. 

WHY IS THE GREEN BALANCE™ EXCITING?

As governments around the world realize the economic value of protecting our environment, there are likely to be incentive programs to reward environmentally responsible behavior.  We already see examples in recycling programs that pay for returning cans and bottles.  Since hazardous waste becomes extremely expensive to “clean up” and presents so many health and legal risks and exposures, there are powerful arguments for tracking and properly handling products like fluorescent bulbs, old computers, electronics, home appliances, and even old vehicles.  There is also a need to register and track other hazardous waste like batteries used in hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius, hybrid Highlander and Lexus models, Honda, Ford, and GM hybrid models.  When these cars are registered with the GEX, the vehicle identification numbers (VIN) are tracked to follow the vehicle lifecycle and insure that lithium ion batteries are properly processed.  The GEX can even notify vehicle owners if new and better technologies become available.  The GEX is committed to working with local and state governments to develop efficient programs for handling hazardous waste.

COMMON SENSE GREEN™

The GEX is committed to “Common Sense Green™.”  This means working toward total Green Solutions that use common sense to move us forward... NOT BACKWARD!  The GEX Research and Development team is working toward developing public and political awareness about key issues and technologies that include:

Rebate and Incentive Programs

Tax Incentives

Green Economics

Environmental Impacts and Issues

Nuclear Energy

Solar Energy

Wind Farms

Municipal Waste Remediation

Farm Waste Processing Technology

Combine Heat & Power Technologies

High Efficiency Heating and Cooling Systems

High Efficiency Power Management Systems

High Efficiency Hot Water Heaters

High Efficiency Lubricants

High Efficiency Insulation and Construction Materials

Alternative Fuels

Energy Policies

THE GEX PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

To help move Green Technologies forward, the GEX wants to help you find the most efficient and cost effective solutions for energy savings.  That’s why we are proud to present manufacturers and technology developers on our site who can provide a one-stop shop to get you started quickly and inexpensively.  Please help support our efforts by patronizing GEX sponsors.  You’ll find the highest level of quality, support, and integrity among the products and services offered by the GEX Green Technology Partnership  Program.  Plus, you can register your energy savings products as you buy to receive your Carbon Reduction Points™!