College of Business Administration

1) What exactly is Clean Technology? Research indicates everything from a very detailed to a somewhat broad definition. How do the “expert definitions” presented in our readings compare to your own view of Clean Technology?

2) Will the adoption of clean technology allow for sustainable development? Why or why not?

3) Last week in class we talked about the possible need for a “paradigm shift”. Along similar lines, in Chapter 10 of the Business & Environment Reader Starkey & Welford describe a “shift in technological regimes”, which they say begins with implementing their proposed “Environmental R&D” programs. Do you think that market forces alone can sufficiently advance the uses of clean technology? Why or why not? If not, what other mechanisms will need to be used to support advances in clean technology?

4) Recall the famous line from the movie Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.” Will this be true of clean cars—if companies build them, will consumers buy them? Or will consumers (Americans in particular) continue to follow their “bigger is better” buying habits? What would a 'win-win' look like in this instance, and is this technologically feasible?

5) This leads to the crucial philosophical question: will Americans be willing and able to break out of their “comfort zones” in order to accept Clean Technologies that may not be as simple and easy to use as the current alternatives? If not, how can the obstacles to adoption of clean technologies be overcome?

6) Speaking of consumers, of the Clean Technologies that we’ve read about, which one(s) do you find most promising? In other words, which would you most likely incorporate into your daily life—buying a clean car, switching to a clean dry cleaning service, or eating Genetically Modified food?

7) What is your opinion of the Bush Administration’s focus on “clean coal”, as opposed to other clean technologies? Compare to the position taken by the Chinese government in the Clean Energy Trends report. Should other Clean Technologies be endorsed by our federal government?

8) Would you invest in a company that is working on developing Clean Technology? Why or why not?

9) Can advances in technology also have a negative impact on the environment? Should these 'unintended consequences' be of major concern?

10) Finally, following the example of the catalytic converter, will Clean Technologies succeed in making our planet and all its inhabitants healthier?