These days it seems that nearly every organization, state or country has some sort of cleantech initiative. There are a lot of hopes resting on clean technology to strengthen the U.S. economy. What is cleantech? Why has it become so popular? And can it really help the U.S. economy?Clean technology is the term used to refer to the intelligence, products and services that optimize resources, minimize pollution and waste, and deliver technological performance that is equal, if not superior, to conventional technology. This enhanced approach applies to sectors such as energy, climate change, urbanization and security of food and water. Industries include recycling, transportation, renewable energy, and utilities. Due to the immense growth in clean technology, this arena has received huge capital investments from venture capitalists, major banks and the U.S. government.
U.S. Cleantech Overseas
In 2009, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a new program to spur economic development delivering U.S. clean technology to international markets. A mutually beneficial arrangement could be achieved with the initiative. U.S. cleantech companies could access necessary international growth with the exports. Meanwhile, U.S. knowledge and experience could prove advantageous to developing countries. Regular forums, such as the Greening Asia Clean Technology Forum, foster international market development. International cleantech projects have been successful with international partners such as Mexico, Romania, Brazil and South Africa.
Various Cleantech Initiatives
Today, cleantech initiatives are offered within various organizations, cities, states. Although they each promote their own entity, they share a common goal: to promote business through sustainable, environmentally-sound technologies. Development is achieved through the valuing of natural resources and the reduction of ecological or environmental impacts. Financial incentives are created in job opportunities and emerging businesses that foster cleantech growth.
Examples of cleantech initiatives include producing electricity from wastewater using microbial fuel cells through the California Israel Chamber of Commerce (CICC) or developing buildings that create more energy than they consume through the Ottawa Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
For those in the cleantech field, now is a great time to gather seed money or additional funding. Cleantech competitions and investments are widely available for entrepreneurs or students with a cutting edge idea. For businesses already utilizing cleantech technologies, accolades are being given for accomplishments such as top retail chains, universities and even governors who have gone cleantech.
