Green Nanotechnology: Myth or Reality?

Everyday our environment is changing. By environment I am talking about every aspect of our lives. Where we live, how we get around, what we eat, and how we take responsibility for our actions. As our environment changes, so too does the technology that makes our lives “easier,” which is very debatable. So, if technology can make it easier for a person to get to work in the morning, through GPS and easy pay gas stations, why can’t technology help the sustainability of our planet? When one thinks about nanotechnology, images of science fiction movies come to mind, like Star Trek. But, nanotechnology is not science fiction, it’s actually here. “Green Nanotechnology: Straddling Promise and Uncertainty” is an article by Barbara P. Karn and Lynn L. Bergeson in Natural Resources and Environment magazine. The main purpose of this article is to attempt to educate readers about the potential of green nanotechnology.
The nanotechnology movement is really starting to take flight in a number of different fields. Proposals include medical nanotechnology to fight against cancer and other diseases and engineering nanotechnology to reduce labor and transportation costs. In the article “Green Nanotechnology,” the authors explore the different ways nanotechnology can help protect the planet. Primarily, the article focuses on two ways in which green nanotechnology can help. First, green nanotechnologies can be developed to help remediate hazardous waste, purify water, desalinate water, and help clean polluted waterways. Pollution is really a troubling issue; imagine green nanotechnology being able to destroy water pollutants such as fuels, waste, and others. The ability to purify water from toxins could save countless numbers of aquatic species, as well as the birds that nest and feed from the rivers. The ability to desalinate water is also a very important issue. One day our population could possibly exhaust the fresh water supply. The ability to turn saltwater, which covers 75% of the earth, in to drinkable water could be a huge development. Second, green nanotechnologies will be made from safer chemicals proven to have minimal, if any, effects on the environment. The less waste technology produces the better the outcome.
There are some fears about green nanotechnology and nanotechnologies in general. If a green nanotechnology is produced to help clean up oil spills in the Pacific Ocean for example, what is to stop this machine from destroying other aspects of the environment? After the oil is consumed what happens next. Will the nano-organism just shut off? Once it shuts off what happens to it? Does it then sink to the bottom of the ocean polluting the area? Some believe the nano-organism will just move on and keep consuming whatever is in its path. To help answer these questions, no matter how bizarre, the government and private sector are researching every avenue into testing, regulation, costs, and affects. No real answer can be given to each fear yet, but with continued research and with positive advancements in technology we are getting closer.
One day green nanotechnology will help sustain our planet, freshen our water supply, and end pollution. After all the tests and regulations are finalized maybe technology, in theory a main contributor to the planets destruction, will provide the means to save the environment.

Josh Wyatt, Legal Intern