research essay 1000 words

9/11/2018

Technology and its impact on our environment

2018 was one of the hottest years of the century. And most people claim that the use of modern technology is the reason for such climate change. However, the government spends millions and millions of money on scientists who are researching on eco-friendly technology and source of energy. James Gustave Speth, then-President of the World Resources Institute, in 1992 wrote an article suggesting a national strategy to combine the goals of a healthy environment and a strong economy. He suggests that we can reduce pollution by recycling waste. This process makes products more affordable for people to buy and use. A year after year the eco-friendly technology is becoming more affordable for people. More people are installing solar panels on the roofs of their houses which helps to reduce the use of eco-harmful sources of energy. Scientists calculated that by the end of the XXI century everyone will be using eco-friendly tech products which will reduce the harm to the environment to zero.

Technology requires energy. In the early XX century, the coal was the main source of energy. Years after the coal was changed with oil. In the 1950s scientists started using a nuclear power as a main source of energy. However, none of them are eco-friendly. They deal inevitable damage to our environment, damaging the air we breathe, the atmosphere that protects us from Sun and soil where we plant our vegetables and fruits. The changes scientists started paying attention to the damage we are dealing with the environment in the 1990s. That was the time when scientists started researching on alternative sources of energy. Marine energy, hydroelectric, wind, geothermal and solar power are first renewable and alternative sources of energy. China is one of the first countries to start using renewable energy. In 2004, “The New York Times” published an article which states that the government of China declared by 2010 10 percent of the whole of China’s power will be generated through renewable sources. Indeed, in 2018 China’s 12 percent of power is generated through renewable sources of energy and China is not going to stop on this. Now they are planning to increase that number from 10 percent to 20 by the year 2030. With renewable sources of energy comes the eco-friendly technologies. Some of the tech companies are working on so-called “greenhouses”. This houses are entirely eco-friendly and do not require energy that is harmful to the environment. The price of these houses starts at 75000$ which makes it affordable for people. Also, solar and wind farms are being built which will help to reduce the use of energy sources such as nuclear power.

Tech products are more eco-friendly then they were before. For example, phones these days come with Lithium-ion batteries which lasts for years and requires less electricity. Gas powered cars are now being replaced by electric cars which do not produce carbon dioxide. One of the most famous companies producing electro cars is Tesla Motors. This cars only work with electricity and comes with autopilot which will help to decrease the number of car accidents. Scientists are working on replacing public transports that work with gas or diesel. New electric busses and trains not only will help with the environmental problem but also with the free space problem in megapolises. And some of the countries already started replacing old trains with new solar panel installed trains. Not only trains but also houses are being installed with solar panels which provide with electricity the entire house. If we go like this, by the year 2050, people will be living in fully eco-friendly cities and megapolises.

However, there are scientists blaming modern technology on climate change. 2018 was indeed one of the hottest years. The problem with changing old machines with new eco-friendly ones is that we create a lot of toxic waste. For example, our old computers being replaced with laptops create a ton of waste that cannot be recycled or tungsten bulbs being replaced with eco bulbs create a toxic waste that can cause life-threatening issues. Also, wind turbine farms that generate pure electricity using only wind, scares the birds around them with their loud noise. That might lead to starvation of some animals and overpopulation of the other ones.

In one hand scientists saying that technology will help us to solve the environmental issues, on the other hand, scientists blaming the technology in the environmental issues. For me, I think that the modern technology is the solution. If we stop using our tech products, this will lead to even bigger problems than the environment.

Works cited page

Landler, Mark. "China Pledges to Increase Use Of Alternative Energy Sources." New York Times, 5 June 2004, p. C3. Science In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A117720610/SCIC?u=txshracd2500&sid=SCIC&xid=e5d0030a. Accessed 12 Sept. 2018

Halligan, Toby. "The future of energy: STRONG LEADERSHIP IN CHINA SIGNALS A BIG SHIFT TO CLEAN ENERGY." Habitat Australia, Apr. 2018, p. 32+. Science In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A538787977/SCIC?u=txshracd2500&sid=SCIC&xid=55754e89. Accessed 12 Sept. 2018.