How Technology Can Help the Environment
It is no secret that significant changes will need to be made to society if we want to reduce greenhouse gas emission to a safe level. Thankfully, technology that is already being developed and used has the potential to reduce toxic greenhouse gases and help us live a more sustainable lifestyle.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has become commonplace, a trend which is expected to continue. Beyond saving employees and employers time and money, this arrangement has positive effects for the environment as well. For example, workers who no longer drive to an office are producing fewer greenhouse gases. Fully remote companies also do not require office space, reducing the amount of congestion in major cities, as well as waste created by an office.
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) also has the potential to help save the environment. AI bot technology can monitor pollution levels in air, soil, and water, allowing scientists to see where pollution is the worst and where it is coming from. This can also catch organizations in the act of illegal dumping. AI can be used to further help by creating a “smart” electrical grid that maximizes efficiency in electric production and distribution.
Lastly, digital communication methods save a significant amount of resources. A tremendous amount of paper is saved thanks to electronic billing statements and emails. A company’s carbon footprint can also be reduced by conducting internal and external meetings via Zoom or another video conferencing app instead of flying out to meet clients in person.
However, it is important to keep in mind that there are risks to using technology as well. For example, AI algorithms can learn to make patterns based on factors such as race, gender and age. It is important, for the time being at least, that humans oversee this technology to prevent discrimination from occuring. Of course, remote work also means more workers are using electricity at home to power their laptops and office equipment. Plus, videoconferencing is often considered to be an inferior method of communication compared to in-person meetings.
Overall, technology is an important tool to creating a sustainable society. With the proper research and oversight, these resources make it possible for us to significantly reduce fossil fuels from our energy portfolio to create a cleaner and better future.
Contributed by:
Marie Johnson
Enlightened-Digital.com
by Editor