eco-tech

(EK.oh-tek)

n.

Technology designed to alleviate environmental problems and reduce the use of natural resources.

Example Citation:

"A new buzzword among analysts is 'eco-tech,' or ecological technology, a line of business that they expect to draw sharply higher investment in the next few years."

— Conrad De Aenlle, "Green' Energy Gets Lift Amid Political Insecurity," The International Herald Tribune, October 30, 2001

Earliest Citation:

Pierce said the goal of 'eco-tech' is to encourage existing businesses, especially high-tech and defense firms, to retool to develop products and services that are 'environmentally responsible.'

—Bruce Mohl, "Pierce addresses environmental issues," The Boston Globe, August 15, 1990

Notes:

As the above citation says, this term is a buzzwordish blend of the adjective ecological and the noun technology, the result being borderline oxymoronic. And although the world's "analysts" may view eco-tech (also eco tech or ecotech) as a new word, it has actually been buzzing around the lexicon for over ten years, as the earliest citation testifies.

Note, too, that there is another sense of eco-tech that means "the economic and technological cooperation between nations":

The regional grouping's less developed member economies, supported by this year's host-country the Philippines, have been emphasising the importance of economic and technical co-operation, or 'ecotech' in Apec jargon, over the past two days.

— Nirmal Ghosh, "Emphasise economic, technical ties, Apec urged," The Straits Times, May 25, 1996

Related Words:

bads

biotecture

blue goo

cleantech

earthship

eco-bling

eco-driving

eco-efficiency

ecolonomics

enlibra

global ecophagy

grasscycling

green bullet

greenscamming

greenwash

myco-diesel

mycoremediation

newater

precycling

triple bottom line

upcycling

wind farm

wind rush

Categories:

Environment

Technology (General)