The modern world is currently standing at a crossroads in relation to the issue of sustainability. With problems like climate change, exhaustion of natural resources and pollution, it is now time to act to save the earth. Luckily, technology has been discovered to be one of the most useful agents in championing sustainability. In this article, you will find out about the most promising technologies that will help to make life on Earth safer, healthier, and in general, more sustainable for people and the environment.
1. Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is perhaps one of the foremost developments in technology that aid sustainability. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources, and their usage leads to environmental problems, whereas solar, wind, hydro and geothermal power can be feasibly used to provide energy needs. Recent years alone have seen an unprecedented increase in renewable energy generation across the globe especially from countries such as china and the USA.
Different renewable energy technologies have brought transformation for the end user where they are now able to produce their power independently of the grid and this has reduced on emissions. Indeed, renewable energy infrastructure projects also provide employment, catalyse economic development and contribute towards the development of a sustainable economy. Using current renewable energy accessibility and trends, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has targeted global renewable energy generating capacity of 80% by the year 2050 up from 26% as present.
2. Energy Efficiency
Another domain where technology mainly came out as a key driver of change is energy efficiency. Appliances and lighting, and building materials that can efficiently consume energy have been invented to solve this problem. For instance, LED lighting is a lot more efficient – around 90% more efficient – than conventional incandescent bulbs, whereas smart thermostats allow the homeowner to control heating and cooling systems from a distance and therefore more efficiently.
.figures like insulation materials have also been improved to enhance energy conservation and outer covers of buildings, while, Electric cars are gaining market base as compared to traditional gas guzzling cars. Currently, many countries’ governments are coming up with policies that encourage consumers to use energy-efficient products like offering reductions on prices as a way of encouraging consumers to purchase the energy-efficient products.
3. Circular Economy
The circular economy is an idea that has receives increased attention in the recent past as have been termed to be sustainable. Circulate economy is among the economic models that create the kind of economy that will retain waste and pollution at the lowest level, employs recycling, reusing, and regeneration as its ways of using the resources. Several pieces of expertise have rebounded the way toward circularism through technology solutions which have also promoted innovative materials, products, and techniques.
For example, biodegradable plastic is invented to decrease the amount of disposable plastics in the landfill, or even in oceans, and 3D printing technology is being utilized to produce acceptable product using recycling materials. Moreover, technologies like IoT are supplying the tools that are useful for providing a closed-loop, efficient, and reduced-waste supply chain for manufacturers.
4. Sustainable Agriculture
This paper focuses on sustainable agriculture as an important approach towards addressing the increasing global food demands and reduced harm to the environment. Precision farming, one of the breakthrough technological points, is also helping the cause of sustainable farming by advising farmers on the choice of inputs, when to plant, when to irrigate and even when to apply fertilizers and pesticides.
This has become possible through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, satelites and sensors to obtain information on soils, crops, climate among others to aid farmers in their practices. Further, there is use of vertical farming and the concepts of hydroponics in a bid to conserve water and minimize on the arable land, while the use of genetically modified crops to enhance the resistance to pest and diseases hence curtailing on chemical use.
5. Sustainable Transportation
Transportation is especially relevant to the issue, as it is the main cause of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to sustainability efforts. The demand for electric cars as noted earlier is on the rise especially when there is no emission and a shift has been made from use of fuels. Also, there is the development in battery system making ev models more efficient and reasonably priced for common use.
Other sustainable transportation practical inventions include invention of hyperloop technology, which seeks to transport passengers in long distances in sealed depressurized tubes and the increase in the bike sharing services across major cities of the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it could be said that technology has become one of the major driving forces in achieving the goals of sustainability and guaranteeing further existence of our planet. New ideas in technology ranging from renewable energy and energy efficiency, circular economy and sustainable agriculture are well on the way of achieving positive change leading to a more sustainable resilient world.
Given that we are designing new technologies or learning how to use technologies that are novel to us, it is important to be aware of the effects a particular technology has on the environment and do everything in our power to lessen the expounded harm, should there be any. In this way, we can continue progress in benefiting future generations becoming healthier and having more resources and opportunities.
