Alternative technology

Alternative technology is a term used to refer to technologies that are more environmentally friendly than the functionally equivalent technologies dominant in current practice. The term was coined by Peter Harper,^[1]: 13.59 one of the founders of the Centre for Alternative Technology, North Wales (a.k.a. The Quarry),^[1]: 02.24 in Undercurrents (magazine) in the 1970s. Alternative Technologies are created to be safer, cleaner, and overall more efficient.^[2] The goals of alternative technology are to decrease demand for critical elements by ensuring a secure supply of technology that is environmentally friendly, increased efficiency with lower costs, and with more common materials to avoid potential future materials crises.^[3] Alternative technologies use renewable energy sources such as solar power and wind energy.^[4] Some alternative technologies have in the past or may in the future become widely adopted, after which they might no longer be considered "alternative." For example, the use of wind turbines^[5] to produce electricity.