Expert: Harold Garabedian - 2/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi there Harold,
I am a trend analyst in London and i am researching into how the future of gadgets and technology will adapt to our Eco lifestyle.
Due to your expertise in air quality i wondered if you had any thoughts on how we will adapt technology to ensure that our air quality is improved. Or even if you could suggest what pollutes the air most prominently as present.

I understand you will probably know of many developments in this sector  so would you mind sharing some thoughts on this with me?
I hope you can help me and any ideas you have will be invaluable.

Kindest regards

Rebecca Hall


ANSWER: Technologies of the future will address issues of (high) efficiency and sustainability; particularly energy sustainability and zero emissions technologies. I belive these concepts will permenate throughout society; transportation, electricity generation and use, space heating and product manufacturing and use. Additionally, society will move to a concept of 'zero waste'. And life-cycle/fuel-cycle analyses will be the standard by which energy/products decisions are made.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: That's very interesting and thank you for the quick reply, would it be possible to explain further about the 'zero waste' do you know how as a society we will archieve this ? and also do you have nay ideas on how we will use the zero emissions and cars, space heating etc.
If not thank you for taking the time to reply it has been very helpful and much appreciated.
Rebecca

Answer
"Zero Waste" is more of a concept or philosophy of how to approach policies addressing wastes which society produces than a specific set of practices. The philosophy is that there should be no 'waste' and therefore we need to find the 'highest and best use' for materials after they have served their intended first use. By looking through this lens, we should be able to eliminate some wastes and reduce to a minimum those 'wastes' that cannot be re-used or recycled. This should create opportunities for product design, and in de-constructing and de-manufacturing.

I hope this helpful.