Technology’ is a word that has changed the way the world works entirely. Technology has enabled so many possibilities for us that we cannot imagine living without it. Whether it is to stay connected with someone miles away, or self-driven cars on the road, or even buy things with a click. We are dependent on technology for almost every task these days. According to research, The U.S. tech market accounts for 35% of the total global market! Technology has become a part and parcel of our lives but let’s see what good and bad it brings for us.

Technology as a Boon for the Environment

With the help of technological advancement, we have been able to solve some of the biggest environmental concerns of the world. To begin broadly with, it is because of technology that we can generate, transmit, and distribute clean energy through renewable sources in an efficient manner. So, the transition towards green energy including Solar power, Wind energy, or Hydroelectricity isn’t possible without technology in the first place. Electric vehicles – also called clean energy vehicles are an outcome of technological innovation which started in the 1890s and now their demand is pacing up.

Branches of technology such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and Big Data are providing a support system for better functioning and efficiency. ML and AI algorithms are getting more and more accurate to forecast weather conditions. Internet of Things (IoT) has a great role to play in smart irrigation systems, controlling air pollution, and improving the air quality index. Big data and data analytics is used for quality assurance, battery management for electric vehicles, smart logistics, etc.

Furthermore, environmental technologies such as the Direct Air Capture (DAC) which can be used to remove carbon from the atmosphere are in the early stage of development. Carbon being the most abundant and harmful greenhouse gas, its intended removal can be a huge benefit for the environment. Another upcoming technology is the Internet of Energy (IoE). Just like IoT, it connects data points of energy resources using sensors to make sure that the energy is distributed at the right time and place. Hydrogen fuel and liquid sunlight are other fascinating technologies that can help the environment stay greener.

Technology as a Curse to the Environment

The benefits of technology for us and the environment are countless. But we should not forget that every coin has two sides. In the same way, technology has adverse effects on the environment too. The biggest damage it does to the environment is in the form of air and water pollution. Factories and industries where high tech or automation is used, produce a lot of landfill/water waste or harmful fumes. According to Statista, the waste generated from leading tech companies worldwide in 2020 was a dangerous signal.

On the one side, with the help of technology, we can switch to renewable energy sources. But to operate and use this technology, we need electricity that is derived from coal, and burning it causes environmental damage. At a global level, we are throwing away $62.5 bn of electronic waste every year and out of which only one-fifth gets completely recycled. In this way technology also accounts for a high carbon footprint!

 To Conclude

Technology is like a double-edged sword. If a lot of problems get solved by technology, at the same time it creates some too. We need to be careful about how we are using this amazing tool. We can be aware and take our responsibility to use technology wisely. If technology has the wonders to save the planet, it has the power to destroy the planet too!