Green Tech Overview
What three major technologies work together to create intelligent environmental solutions in green tech?
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Smart Grids.
What does the word “biomimicry” mean?
It means imitating life (bio = life, mimesis = to imitate).
What is the key difference between sustainable design and regenerative design?
Sustainable design reduces harm, while regenerative design actively heals ecosystems.
What percentage of global CO₂ emissions come from transportation?
Nearly 25%.
By 2050, what percentage of the world’s population is projected to live in cities?
Nearly 70%.
By 2050, how much more food will the world need to produce compared to today?
70% more.
By how much can AI reduce building energy usage through analysis and optimization?
Up to 30%.
What natural feature inspired Velcro’s invention?
Burdock seeds’ tiny hooks.
List three of the seven core principles of regenerative design.
Respect for natural systems, closed-loop use of natural materials, integration with local context, long-term sustainability, collaboration, net-positive impacts, adaptability.
Compared to gas cars, what is the energy efficiency of electric vehicles?
87–91% (compared to 16–25% in gas cars).
Name two uses of drones in urban sustainability.
Urban mapping, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, emergency response, green space monitoring.
What percentage of Earth’s freshwater is used in traditional agriculture?
70%.
Which company used machine learning to reduce data center cooling energy by 40%?
Google DeepMind.
How did the kingfisher bird inspire the Japanese bullet train redesign?
Its beak shape reduced tunnel sonic booms, making the train faster and quieter.
The Bullitt Center in Seattle generates 60% more energy than it uses. This is an example of:
a) sustainable design
b) regenerative design
c) biomimicry
d) cradle-to-grave
b) regenerative design
What three types of sensors do autonomous vehicles use to navigate safely?
Cameras, radar, and LiDAR.
What European city reduced nitrogen dioxide pollution using smart streetlights and air quality sensors?
Barcelona, Spain.
What is the first step in producing lab-grown meat?
Collecting animal cells through a small, painless biopsy.
What role do IoT sensors play in environmental monitoring?
They collect real-time data on air, water, and soil conditions for analysis and action.
What principle do termite mounds use that inspired the Eastgate Centre’s building design?
Passive cooling and natural ventilation.
Which feature from nature inspired self-cleaning paints and surfaces?
The lotus leaf.
What African city implemented an electric Bus Rapid Transit system that cut emissions by 59%?
Dakar, Senegal.
What technology enables real-time monitoring of air quality, water, noise, and energy use in cities?
IoT sensor networks.
Name one key component of vertical farming systems.
LED lighting, hydroponics/aeroponics, or climate control.
What are two benefits of smart grids for communities?
Renewable energy integration and fewer blackouts (higher reliability).
Give one emerging biomimicry-inspired material or technology.
Examples: biodegradable composites, self-healing materials, desert beetle-inspired water harvesting.
What is a green roof’s role in regenerative design?
It absorbs rainwater, reduces heat islands, and provides habitat.
What futuristic aircraft provides quiet, clean urban air mobility?
eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft.
What is a major challenge of deploying large urban sensor networks, and one solution?
Examples:
Privacy concerns → anonymized data policies
e-waste → modular recyclable designs.
By 2030, what milestone is lab-grown meat expected to reach?
Price parity with conventional meat.
How do AI, IoT, and Smart Grids work together in a “connected future”?
IoT collects data, AI analyzes it, and smart grids distribute energy efficiently.
In nature, sustainability through closed-loop systems means:
nothing is wasted and all materials are reused
What is one emerging trend in regenerative design?
Examples: urban farming in cities, 3D printing with natural materials, AI digital twins for optimization.
Name one career path in sustainable mobility.
Examples: Urban Planner, EV Engineer, Transit Manager, Mobility Data Scientist, Autonomous Systems Designer.
MIT’s autonomous drones improved air monitoring by providing what resolution level?
15-meter resolution data.
What company runs a vertical farm in Newark that grows 2 million pounds of greens annually with 95% less water?
AeroFarms.