Technology has bad effect on Environment - Impact of technology on Environment

 EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY ON ENVIRONMENT

The newer innovations day by day and an ever-increasing appetite for technological achievements are impacting the environment in myriad ways. This article explores the quantum of impacts, our negligence, and how it is going to affect the lives of future generations. In the end, some environment-friendly technologies and modifications in way of life are discussed.

 

The invention of the steam engine in the 18th century set the wheel for the industrial revolution which has gathered acceleration with the continued industrialization in nation-states across the world. The evolution has technology has revolutionized the way we live. Its penetration has been across all the spheres of life likewise. Not only it has changed the way we consume goods but also introduced unprecedented articles of consumption.

 

This unstoppable consumption, commodity fetishism as it is called, has had impacted the environment in two ways -- resource depletion and waste generation.

 

 

Resources such as metals and non-metals and energy are the two of most important that requires mentioning. Innovations in mining technology have explored the whole of the earth's surface and what lies beneath it. That the deepest mines of the world go to 3-4kms is no longer a wonder. Though it was expected to meet the demand of people and increase prosperity, on the contrary, it has promoted consumerism.

 

Mining of the resources is not a cause of concern in itself but the consequences of it. Mines are located in forests that are of immense ecological significance. When a mineral exploration activity is carried out it leads to displacement of tribes the animal species inhabiting that region. They live their lives in closed association with nature, also known as mutualism. So, evicting them out of their niche is similar to taking away their lives. In India alone, during the last 60 years, for various dam projects, about 6 crore people have been displaced, out of which 4 crores have practically turned into beggars in the streets. Thus, our quench for cool gadgets has a price to pay which is much larger than the money we pay. Other forms of resource depletion include aquifer depletion, deforestation, and soil erosion.

 

The technology that we are using runs on loads and loads of energy. Thus, creates a demand for greater energy generation. In the hunt for more energy, we have reached on a verge of the scarcity of fossil resources. The cruciality of it can be understood by a report published in the Irish Times which states, "If fossil fuels, which still account for four-fifths of the global energy mix, ran out tomorrow food production would collapse. Systems of food and water distribution would fail. Electricity and transport systems would cease to function."

 

The second major theme of this article is waste generation.

Harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane are being released into the earth's atmosphere in excessive quantities. The main sources related to the burning of fossil fuels for energy demand fulfillment, vehicles, and factories. This has not only degraded the human health prospect but of the planet altogether. Issues like global warming, extinction of several species are on the rise. Similar is the issue of water pollution. Combined the two - air and water - are the most crucial for the survival of human life.

 

The greatest menace has been generated by the overuse of plastic and the quantum of the impact it is having. Who doesn't enjoy having a coke by enjoying a movie? Packaged food and online shopping have become a part and parcel of life. The more we undertake such activities that result in plastic waste generation, the more threat we are creating for environmental health. The next major source of plastic waste generation is electronic devices. According to the Global E-waste Monitor report, around 50 million metric tons of e-waste are disposed of every year across the globe. In America alone, $60 million worth of gold is dumped with cell phones each year.

 

 

The trend of recognition of the impact of technology on climate change and the harms of it is rising worldwide. There has been an increase in demand for environment-friendly technologies, sustainable solutions, and lifestyle changes. The ideas such as green energy, zero waste life, earth hour, clean meat, and smart technology are becoming more and more popular.

An agreement was signed in 2016 by different countries that joined hands to make every effort to bring down the carbon dioxide emissions in their respective countries. This has fueled the efforts to develop infrastructure for renewable energy generation. The cost of installation of renewable energy plants, mainly, solar wind and tidal, has been decreasing and at the same time government's intervention is increasing. This has also reduced the energy tariffs per unit thus making renewable energy more affordable to the masses. In Australia, the number of households with rooftop solar installations increased from 4600 to over 1.6 million households between 2007 and 2017.

 

Smart technology used the "internet of things" to remotely access the appliances with the sensors linked to them. This technology has brought numerous energy-efficient solutions to our daily life. One such solution is smart appliances which can regulate energy consumption after understanding energy consumption which is unique to every user. The other one is electric cars. Passenger vehicles are one of the major pollution contributing elements. In 2019, more than half of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide was contributed by the transport sector alone. Thus the benefits of electric cars need no more advocacies.

 

Other solution includes recycling which is the only acceptable solution when it comes to electronic devices. For instance, recycling aluminum reduces energy consumption by 95% and for plastic, it is 70%. 'Recycling also reduces the emission of pollutants that can cause smog, acid rain, and another such disastrous phenomenon', says The Economist.

 

As a society we should work to instill the value of economic conscience. Environmental concerns shouldn't be put at bay by the companies when they devise the plan for their profits. Launching new and new devices without the concern of what happens to the old devices is the defiance of the goal of sustainable development. The 'techno trash' as e-waste is called must be disposed of using special methods.

 

While devising a new technology it must be ensured that innovations are aligned towards solving the problems of the future and not creating more.