In the past few decades, it seems that damage to nature and the environment were synonymous with progress. The amount of deforestation alone that has happened in the past 50 years is staggering. So many animals and people were left without habitats and homes, and the earth without precious ecosystems, animals, and oxygen.
Luckily, with today’s advances in technology, society has become more eco-friendly and aware of the environment and the human impact on the earth. People and technology have begun to work together to reduce waste and pollution, protect land and water, and maintain the balance of different ecosystems.
Technology has been one of the biggest influences in this fight. Here are some insights and examples of how the newest technology is helping the planet.
Solar Energy
Adopting new ways to obtain clean energy is an example of how technology and innovation can help the environment. Eco-friendly houses whose electricity comes from solar energy are reducing the impact of the use of fossil fuels to create energy.
Cars and other vehicles are being developed that will also run on solar energy and will help reduce air pollution. Imagine entire neighborhoods and even cities where solar energy is available through solar panel systems. The quality of life for humans, plants, and animals would skyrocket. More companies are beginning to invest in and research these things and are working hard to make them available to all.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Internet of Things is technology on the crest of the wave. What is IoT? Simply put, IoT is like a net that connects different objects with an incorporated sensor or ai chip. This allows these objects to connect and exchange data with other devices and systems through the internet. Devices range from domestic items to industrial machines and tools. Currently, there are more than 10 billion IoT devices in use; experts venture this number will go up to around 22 billion in just a few years.
IoT has a wide range of applications. For example, IoT in agriculture has shown positive impacts on the earth. Agriculturists can reduce the amount of water wasted and monitor climate, humidity, light, plant health, and other factors to enhance crop production. It helps to reduce the amount of water used by letting farmers know how much the crop may actually need, for example.
Other IoT applications also have demonstrated a positive impact. In Spain, IoT was used to rescue the Iberian lynx by monitoring the few of them still alive, which helped scientists to then reestablish the population.
Digitalization
The digitalization of written documents, books, magazines, and so forth has also been aiding the planet by reducing the use of paper. Switching from paper to digital formats has decreased world deforestation dramatically and saved several types of ecosystems that were previously in danger.
Additionally, digitalization is taking place in businesses and schools. Online transactions allow to people be more connected with eco-friendly items, pay with a card, and receive an electronic receipt. Schools are beginning to use more tablets and digitalized textbooks instead of spending money on thousands of copies of printed materials.
You could even say that jobs are ‘digitalized’. There are so many more people working from home. They’re using online tools to help them do their jobs. Fewer people traveling to work means fewer carbon emissions.
And, at home, more people manage their finances, documents, and communication using technology and the internet.
The Next Step
It’s important to use technology as a tool to help achieve worthy objectives, such as helping the earth and all the beings that live on it. In the next few years, it will surely be amazing to see how technology has developed and is helping keep the planet healthy.