CIA 3 - SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
INTRODUCTION
Amidst the bustling streets of India’s urban centers, the sounds of honking cars and the chatter of pedestrians fill the air. People jostle for space on roads, while sun beats down relentlessly. But as you inhale air, you realize that it is not just the heat that’s suffocating you. Toxic fumes from exhaust pipes, construction sites, and factories fill your lungs. You look around, hoping to find some respite, but all you see are concrete buildings and endless rows of cars. In a city where space is at a premium, there is little room for full-grown trees, which are crucial for improving air quality. But what if there is a solution?The quality of life has been considerably reduced as a result of widespread pollution, especially in metropolitan areas where greenery is scarce or nonexistent. Serbia has developed a novel method to address this issue in the form of liquid trees.
The trees, which are situated in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, appear to belong in a science fiction movie. However, these are actually air quality control and improvement tools.
These tanks, which are formally known as bioreactors, hold 600 litres of water and microalgae. It functions by employing microalgae to capture carbon dioxide and use photosynthesis to create pure oxygen. The microalgae cause the tanks to produce an unsettling shade of green.
These solar-powered trees can completely replace a 200 square metre lawn or a tree that is 10 years old. The bioreactors installed in Serbia double up as benches and even offer power outlets for charging mobile phones.
BACKGROUND OF LIQUID TREES
One of the worst air pollution problems in the world is found in Serbia, particularly in Belgrade. Large coal plants are located in Belgrade, which adds to the city's severe air pollution. According to IQ Air, Belgrade's PM2.5 concentration at the time this article was written was 4.3 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value.
The term "PM 2.5 pollution" describes the airborne presence of minute dirt particles. These dust particles originate from a variety of places, including motor vehicles, power plants, and burning agricultural materials. since of their small size, they are regarded as harmful since they can pierce deeply into people's lungs.
Ivan Spasojevic, Ph.D. in Biophysical Science, created the liquid tree, often known as LIQUID3, as a remedy. In reality, Belgrade received the first urban photo-bioreactor in September 2021. The project's team has demonstrated how the tank can last the winter and even posted online updates on how the tank is maintained.
What if there is a way to create green spaces in urban areas without taking up too much space?
Liquid trees come into play here. The creation of liquid trees, a novel biotechnological technique by Serbian researcher Dr. Ivan Spasojevic, may hold the solution to the problem of air pollution in India's urban centres. The idea of liquid trees is employing a photobioreactor with microalgae to bind atmospheric carbon dioxide and photosynthesize it into oxygen. The innovation appears to be very pertinent for India.
Serbia has experienced terrible air quality for some time. Because our cities no longer have open ground for trees, shrubs, and grass to prevent air pollution, this biotechnological invention can be beneficial for India as well. A single liquid tree's microalgae are equivalent to two trees that are ten years old or 200 square metres of lawn, both of which are impractical in places with dense populations, tall buildings, and gridlocked streets.
India is at a turning point as it attempts to balance the demands of environmentally sustainable development with those of growing urbanisation. The need for land and resources is increasing as cities develop and flourish, which has a negative impact on the environment by causing air pollution and other environmental problems. However, cutting-edge approaches like liquid trees could provide a way forward for India, helping to improve air quality and create more sustainable, livable cities.
STRUCTURE OF LIQUID TREES
Scientists in Serbia have created liquid trees as a biotechnological invention to combat air pollution. The 600-liter water tank that makes up the liquid tree structure is filled with microalgae, which use photosynthesis to bond to carbon dioxide in the air and change it into oxygen. Given that 22 of the world's 30 most polluted cities are located there, India has a pressing need for a tool that may lower greenhouse gas emissions while also improving air quality. The fact that liquid trees need no upkeep and can endure for decades is one of their greatest benefits. They don't need watering or pruning and are resistant to pests and illnesses. This makes them a very affordable and environmentally responsible method of combating air pollution.
CONCLUSION
Rapid urbanisation in India has severely strained the country's ecosystem, resulting in the loss of green spaces and natural ecosystems. Due to the considerable negative effects that the loss of green areas has had on the environment and public health, there is an even greater need for novel solutions like liquid trees. India could increase air quality, add new green spaces, and lessen the negative environmental effects of urbanisation by employing liquid trees there. Beyond reducing air pollution, liquid trees have immense potential. They aid in the transition to alternative energy sources since they can make solar panels and biofuels.
As a result, they are a very sustainable and environmentally beneficial way to combat urban air pollution and help achieve the larger objective of cutting carbon emissions. In conclusion, liquid trees indeed represent an original and incredibly promising approach to reducing air pollution in India's urban areas. Numerous advantages come with these trees, including their compact shape, low maintenance needs, and potential for producing biofuels and other renewable energy sources. India might enhance air quality, build more sustainable, livable cities, and aid in reducing the environmental effects of urbanisation by using novel solutions like liquid trees. It is time for India to adopt these cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of the nation and the world because they have enormous potential benefits. However, much depends on the possibility and cost of technology transfer, production, and other ground realities.
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