Use of fuel cells is an alternate energy technology that is being studied for full-scale implementation. These can be classified into three subgroups: catalytic, enzymatic, and microbial. Microbial fuel cells are unique in their ability to utilize microorganisms, rather than an enzyme or inorganic molecule, as catalysts for converting the chemical energy of feedstock directly into electricity.

As bottled water use continues to expand around the world, there is growing interest in the environmental, economical, and social implications of that use, including concerns about waste generation, proper use of groundwater, hydrologic effects on local surface and groundwater, economic costs, and more. A key concern is how much energy is required to produce and use bottled water.

Climate change, growing populations and political concerns are prompting governments and investors from California to China to take a fresh look at desalination : a report. March 20, 2008

The environment ministry of China recently ordered the cleanup of 20 chemical and petrochemical units that a study found were a threat to the country's waterways and environment due to poor planning