Technology as a tool in disaster management has its disadvantages, which can have serious consequences. Every shred of technology in existence today came to be as a result of man’s discoveries and invention. Man by nature is a creature bound to make mistakes from time to time thus any technological equipment has its loopholes which cannot be realized immediately if several tests are not carried out. Technology keeps changing as man discovers advanced way of improving the performance of technological devices that had been previously invented. Technology therefore is vulnerable since it gets replaced by newer and faster devices which try to overcome its predecessor’s disadvantages. The weaknesses of devices such as landlines that had to be plugged to the sockets have been replaced by wireless landline that can be charged thus reducing its dependency on electricity. This can be of immense help during an emergency and a power blackout kicking in at the same time.
Technological devices are expensive to install and maintain. This may lead to a disaster in that if equipment such space satellites if not maintained regularly may be dysfunctional thus creating a state of panic and unpreparedness when disaster strikes. This creates uncertainty among the people to the government’s effort in protecting its citizens .
Technology as a weapon in disaster management can be a curse as it can easily convince people that they are safe from harm since they are under constant vigilance by technological equipment which will instantly alert them if anything goes wrong. This is risky given that people can easily ignore signs of a disaster arguing that they have not been alerted by their devices. Technology can have diverse effects, which may lead to disasters as a result of the harmful chemicals they discharge. Grilling or barbecuing food leads to many potent carcinogens forming that can be compared to those found in cigarette smoke. This can lead to cancer after a period of time which is lethal and can cause death if not properly treated (Rao, 2007).
It is crucial to leverage and manage technologies so as to minimize costs thus ensuring that technological devices are available to all. This in effect will try to provide technology to all and use it for their benefit. For example, cell phone manufacturing companies can develop phones that are affordable to all by using cheap and easily available materials such as plastic. This will ensure that most people can afford a cell phone enhancing communication around the globe. With communication people get exposed and educating people on disaster management becomes easier as avenues can be created that can be accessed by the people through cell phones. The government can also subsidize installation of technological devices so as to make it affordable to the less fortunate. Developers should also invent devices that have little dependence on electricity by using solar or wind energy thus reducing expenses on oil and electricity .
Sometimes the cost of technology is big compromising its benefits given the amount energy it consumes to maintain its functionality. This energy can be in the form of fuel, electricity, or natural resources. Most of the raw materials used in manufacturing technological are mined from different areas around the world. The efforts of extracting these raw materials can in turn create a disaster due to the after effects of mining thus compromising the benefit of developing technological equipment. Oil mined in the Niger Delta has crates devastating effects on the environment due to carelessness in the way it is mined. Living things have died as a result; pollution has come about both at land, sea and air. The by-products oil is widely used if not for manufacturing it may be used directly for the functioning of communication boosters, vehicles, ships and a vast range of other equipment. Acquiring it has come at a price so eager bringing into question if its benefits are worth the price .
In conclusion, technology if examined closely is more of a curse than a blessing this is due to the fact that as man tries to pursue grater technological advancements they come at an even greater price in order to achieve the set goals and objectives.
Works Cited
Asimakopoulou, E. (2010). Advanced ICTs for disaster management and threat detection : collaborative and distributed frameworks. Hershey, PA : Information Science Reference.
Coppola, D. P. (2011). Introduction to international disaster management. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Herrera, G. L. (2006). Technology and international transformation : the railroads, the atom bomb, and the politics of international change. Albany: State University Of New York Press.
Khosrowpour, M. (2006). Emerging trends and challenges in information technology management. Hershey, Penn: Idea Group.
Rao, R. R., Eisenberg, J., Schmitt, T., Management., N. R., & (U.S.), N. A. (2007). Improving disaster management : the role of IT in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.
