Technology
continually advances and changes in ways virtually unthought of and unheard of
in the recent past. Due to the seemingly lightning speed of innovations,
humans’ lack of foresight can sometimes have massive impacts on the planet.
Luckily,
tech solutions can solve these problems in new and innovative ways. Technology
has many applications in environmental conservation. Here’s a quick breakdown
of a few of the ways tech provides solutions to conservation problems.
Internet of Things
The
Internet of Things (IoT) brings certain technologies out of the realm of
science fiction and into the real world by allowing the average individual to
utilize wearable technology, smart appliances and integrated home systems that
can do everything from order groceries to play your favorite tunes.
IoT
also has vast implications when it comes to sustainability. With applications
in every sector — from clean agriculture, clean air, clean energy and solar
power, water preservation, smart vehicles and smart cities — IoT provides
amazing and innovative solutions that will change the way we use technology and
make us more aware of our energy consumption habits.
Meat Replacements
It’s
no secret that the livestock cultivation has huge impacts on the planet. One recent study
found that eliminating meat and dairy from your diet is the single best way to reduce your
environmental footprint.
Technology
makes it easier to eliminate animal products from your diet. Companies like
Beyond Meat, Modern Meadow and MorningStar Farms offer tasty non-meat options.
For
more adventurous eaters, insects are a sustainable and
healthy food source that contain more protein, pound for pound, than traditional meat
sources. Crickets can be ground down and used as a flour substitute. And
cultivating insects can provide a more diverse diet and provide greater food
security.
Global Connectivity
Global
connectivity, in the form of Wide Area Access
networks (WAN),
is important for keeping environmentalists connected across the globe. WAN
allows these professionals to have internet connectivity, which equates to
access to research and information databases, no matter where they are in the
world.
Also,
WAN relies on satellite infrastructure, which is essentially solar-powered,
making it the most environmentally friendly form of communication and internet
connectivity in the world.
Satellite Technology
And
speaking of satellites, this technology has allowed for significant improvements in
the tracking of wildlife, which expands understanding of wildlife behavior, habitat and
interactions amongst species. This helps scientists understand habitat loss,
raise public awareness and act quickly when animal populations begin to
decline.
ICARUS,
short of International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space, is an
international organization that uses satellite technology to track the
migratory patterns of various animal species. They released an app that allows
scientists to track animal movements in realtime and determine their location
within a few feet.
Green Energy
Green
energy technology goes way beyond
solar panels and wind turbines that provide clean energy. Recent advancements
include the manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cells for vehicles, the placement of
underwater tidal turbines that harness energy from ocean currents and the
feasibility of space-based solar panels.
Though
scientists acknowledge that these technologies can also have their own
environmental impacts, the environmental harms imposed by green energy sources
are significantly less than fossil fuels.
Geoengineering
Also
known as “planet hacking,” geoengineering is the process of modifying
planetary resources to find solutions to
environmental problems using human-made technologies and approaches.
It
typically comes in one of two approaches. The first, carbon dioxide reduction,
is explanatory and involves planting trees, creating algae farms or capturing
power plant emissions. The second, solar radiation management, focuses on
reducing the amount of solar radiation hitting the planet.
Geoengineering can be controversial and opponents see this as slapping a Band-Aid on the core issue — eliminating carbon emissions in the first place.
Citizen Science
Ultimately,
environmental conservation begins on small scales, with private citizens
volunteering and getting involved in the development of technology and
scientific research to address real-world problems.
Through
collaboration over the internet and in person, scientists and citizens can work
together on causes that foster further understanding of the scientific process
and science as a whole.
As
the saying goes, knowledge is power.
Green Jobs
How to Apply for a Green Job With the demand for green jobs skyrocketing so far in 2017, giving yourself a unique edge can be difficult—yet absolutely necessary—in order for you to become a proud worker for Mother Earth. Follow these steps to successfully claim your next environmentally friendly employment opportunity. 1. Resume: Make sure … Continue reading..
