Technology is a sign of modern life, in other words, one cannot define the contemporary life without technology. Every area and space in human life that is from entertainment, transport, finance, communication sports and engineering influenced and dictated by technology. If one could dare take a panoramic view and a flash of the past time when we did not have electricity, cell phones, when grandparents could tell the tale of life one can see the grave transformation in the way of living (Jadhav et al 25). The innovation and creativity in various areas and fields has amounts substantial work efficiency hence making work easier in industrial development improving the standard of life (Marres 36). However, technology has also come with side effects most especially in especially in communication and transport. Effluents from the factories because of industrial development influence the environment negatively. This paper discusses the consequences or effects of technology on human beings and the environment.
How technology changes human society
Technology has gone a long way in enhancing and improving human life. Right from social interaction and communication, the internet has made it easier to interact and communicate with people globally through various platforms such emails, video calls and social sites. In resource utilisation, technological advancements such as the use of efficient machinery and better means of transport has made these resources readily available to human beings (Marres 65). The exacerbation of industrial development because of advancement in technology such as improved banking systems, faster means of transport, improved communication, and faster processing of good and services have improved the human living standards.
How technological development changed the environment and resource supply
Consequently, because of advancement in industrialisation technologically, the environment has suffered some ecological influences. These environmental influences are both negative and positive. Technology has availed various clean energy such as hydroelectric power (H.E.P), biogas, natural gas, and tidal energy termed as renewable energy are environmentally friendly and sustainable (Shields 14). Additionally, weather forecasting, management of environmental disasters and preparedness has been hastened by the new advancements in technology by inventing efficient gadgets, ways and strategies to arrest the situation. On the other hand, technology has been detrimental to the environment as a whole. Effluents to the environment from factories because of industrial development such as carbon (IV) oxide and ozone depleting substances degrades the environment. When the above elements find their way into the environment, primarily CO2 causes ambient atmosphere that consequently culminate into climate change. Climate, in turn, causes a rise in sea level, drought and famine, desertification and human diseases such as eye cataracts and skin cancer (Jadhav et al 16).
Possible problems
Some of the biggest problems perpetuated by the industrial, technological development are climate change, resource depletion, natural resources degradation and ozone depletion. In addition, other branches of environmental studies such as environmental biotechnology have invented bioweapons and gene mutation that has brought desertification and depletion of natural species. Laptops phones and other gadgets such as CPUs have radioactive elements that degrade and pollute the environment. To the human beings radiations from the devices and ultraviolet radiations because of depletion of ozone, depletion has health side effects and malignant melanoma respectively (Shields 42).
In conclusion, despite the good things industrial technology has incorporated into both social and economic environment it has come alongside with irreversible negative consequences. Historically, the pristine antique environment was favourable conducive for thriving of biota. The fresh air, natural clean air, plenty of natural resources and high productivity were the features. These were dilapidated by the constant anthropogenic activities and technological advancement in the name of economic development. Nevertheless, technology can avert only to an extent. Thus it cannot stand out to the anticipated solutions to the many environmental issue and problems.
Works Cited
Marres, Noortje. Material Participation: Technology, the Environment and Everyday Publics. , 2012. Print.
Shields, Mark A, and A I. L. Payne. Marine Renewable Energy Technology and Environmental Interactions. Dordrecht: Springer, 2014. Print.
Jadhav, Ujwala. Aquaculture Technology and Environment. New Delhi: PHI Learning, 2009. Print.
