Technology and Sustainability
Sustainable development is closely linked to technology. Technology has in the past helped improve ecological sustainability. There has been a boom of technological innovation over the last few years; the good news is that most of the efforts is now rapidly shifting towards sustainable solutions that can protect our environment as well as the livelihood of our communities. Industrialization and the growth of the world economy have created an unprecedented effect on the environment which to some extent will seriously restrict developmental opportunities of the future generations unless something is done. This is where technology comes into play (Visser).
Sustainability and technology are in an ambivalent relationship. Technology has to some extent created much of the world's problems today. For example, the transport industry has enabled quick and safe movement from point A to B. However, the pollution from the traffic is negatively impacting on the environment. On the other hand the need for sustainability depends primarily on technical solutions. It is therefore right to say that technological advancement is a testament of progress towards sustainability. A society will be efficient and sustainable by relying on technical systems.
Many of the current world promising technologies are centered on social and environmental sustainability. These include; precise drug delivery through nanoscale engineering, carbon dioxide conversion to other non-harmful gases, water purification that is energy efficient and photovoltaics. There has also been a significant amount of investments towards green energy technologies with the market size projected to grow to about 398 billion dollars by 2023 (Visser). Such technological investments is a clear indication of the world’s progress towards sustainable development that will safeguard the future of the next generations.
Work Cited
Visser, Wyane. How to Use Technology to Make Our Planet More Sustainable, Not Less. 16 Jul. 2014. Web. 21 Jan. 2016.
