Most people argue that technology is causing harm to our environment. While that is true, as technology continues advancing, its adverse effects are lessening, and the potential for positive impact continues to rise.
The advancement technology has experienced has resulted in the usage of technology to improve and help our environment. Let’s look at some of the ways tech is helping the environment and working towards preventing unreversible climate change.
Renewable Energy
Technology is now allowing us to produce energy through renewable and environmentally friendly methods. Going just a few years back, you would see how almost all of the world’s electricity was generated through fossil fuels.
Now, tech has allowed us to produce and generate electricity through renewable sources like solar, hydro, and geothermal. Solar power is leading in the renewable energy forefront. Research has shown the cost of solar panels has decreased by more than 70% over the past several years.
Developments are still being made in the renewable energy world, especially in terms of hydro, wind, and geothermal energy. These technologies are continuing to become more efficient and more affordable and are now being implemented widely across all industries and residences.
Energy-Efficiency
Technology continues to become more energy efficient. Our homes, which a lot of people don’t think about when talking about climate change, consume a lot of energy. As tech advances, all our appliances continue becoming more efficient.
Even though we have and use more appliances than ever before, the efficiency of our tech means our home energy consumption is less than in previous decades. This effect, even though small, can result in a massive improvement in the long run.
Going Paperless
Over the past few decades, especially in the 2010s, the internet has allowed us to go almost entirely paper-free. Companies, businesses, and organizations are communicating through the digital world instead of using paper. Bills, newsletters, and official documents are now stored, transferred, and viewed digitally.
This decrease in paper use has a substantial environmental impact. We use up fewer resources, which means there are fewer forests getting cut down to produce paper. This doesn’t just save our earth’s trees but also preserves wildlife. Also, the costs and resources used to transport and store the paper we produce are eliminated. The greater the number of trees our world has, the cleaner our air becomes.
Tech In Farming
Factory farming is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. Technology is allowing farming to be as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible.
Robotic farming, vertical farms, and genetic food result from years of technological advancement. Farmers use sensors, satellite images, and data to monitor their crops with the ability to adjust their watering cycles, pesticide use, and fertilizer usage, minimizing waste as much as possible.
Electric Cars
Electric vehicles have finally caught up to our conventional, gas-powered vehicles. Internal combustion engine vehicles run on fossil fuels, and they release harmful gases into our environment. While electric cars still need to get charged, and sometimes, the electricity might not be coming through renewable sources, they are multitudes of better for the environment.
Electric vehicles release almost no harmful gases into the environment. You can use a renewable energy source to charge your electric vehicle, which could make it a very clean option for traveling. As the technology of electric vehicles continues to improve, their range gets longer, and they become more efficient. Soon, EVs could be the best commuting option.
Increasing Awareness
Tech has significantly improved our ability to communicate. Advancements like social media, text messaging, applications, and calls, are allowing us to become more knowledgeable.
They have allowed us to educate, discuss, and work on important issues like climate change. Technology allows us to create and raise awareness about environmental issues with our families, friends, and strangers alike.