Eco-Tech

A new environmental technology concept. International Organisation for Biotechnology and Bioengineering in 1994, defined Eco-Tech as follows:

"Embedding technology into ecosphere and human culture by using the whole range of biodiversity in a holistic and low-invasive way in order to achieve benefits for humankind obeying ecological principles".

Man lives in two worlds- a natural world of the native environment and a built world created by himself. The built-world, an outcome of the advances made in science made in the science and the technology, is associated with the environmental pollution. Environmental pollution is the global phenomenon, and therefore a matter of concern for everyone.

Pollution broadly refers to the presence of undesirable substances in the environment which are harmful to man and other organisms. It must be remembered that the natural world of environment is not totally free from impurities or undesirable substances . However, such impurities are usually not harmful.

Sources of pollutions

There are 6 major sources of pollution

Industrial sources
Agricultural sources
Biogenic sources
Anthropogenic sources
Unnatural sources
Extraterrestrial sources

The relative importance of each one of these sources depends on the site specific situation. For instance in cities, anthropogenic sources are the major contributers while in rural areas, agricultural sources significantly add to pollution.

Despites the occurance of a complex and sometimes dangerous alterations in the environment, the life processes should go on, normally as far as possible. Environmental sustainability broadly deals with the sustenance ( support and maintenance ) of the environment to continue life on earth in a normal way.

Role of biotechnology in eco-tech:

Biotechnology significantly contributes to environmental sustainability. There are three different approaches in this regard.

· Pollution protection : environment can be protected from pollution by using renewable new materials, recycling the processes, appropriate methods for degradation of wastes.
Pollution clean-up: This can be done by employing biotechnological methods for cleanup of oilspills, detoxification of contaminated soils, and purification of water supplies.
· Pollution control: Once Pollution has occurred, biotechnological methods can be used for control. For instance, heavy metals can be recovered from polluted water.

It is the fact that the various activities of humans are exceeding the sustaining capability of the earth. Increased industrialization and urbanisation are adversely affecting the environment

The biotechnologists are expected to improve the existing biological, chemical and various other industrial processes to make them environmental friendly. They should develop integrated systems which are efficient, controllable and clean. It is the duty of the environmental biotechnologists to achieve a maximum global environmental safety.