case study 12

Chapter 12 Sustainability Issues 357

Drones Take Sustainability Sky-High

Sources: Frances Beldia, “Impact of Drones on Society—Business, Connections, Privacy,” Bold Business, 2019, https://www.boldbusiness.com/society/ impact-of-drones-on-society/ (accessed July 25, 2019); Sebastien Long, “Drones and Precision Agriculture: The Future of Farming,” Microdrones, November 16, 2017, https://www.microdrones.com/en/content/drones-and-precision-agriculture-the-future-of-farming/ (accessed July 25, 2019); Michal Mazur, “Six Ways Drones Are Revolutionizing Agriculture,” MIT Technology Review, July 20, 2016, https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601935/six-ways- drones-are-revolutionizing-agriculture/ (accessed July 25, 2019); Dee Ann Divis, “Feds Directed to Use Drones to Fight Wildfires,” Autonomous Media, February 5, 2019, http://insideunmannedsystems.com/feds-directed-to-use-drones-to-fight-wildfires/ (accessed July 25, 2019); “What Are the Most Dangerous Jobs in the Energy Sector?” Power Technology, September 6, 2018, https://www.power-technology.com/features/most-dangerous-jobs-in- the-energy-sector/ (accessed August 2, 2019).

Earth in the Balance

The applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, have multiplied dramatically. Although the use of drones is controversial due to privacy and air-traffic concerns, they are a growing resource for some of society’s most important challenges. For example, drones can be used to assist police departments and first responders by providing the exact location of car accidents, decreasing response times. They also can be used to deter poaching of wildlife, lessen food shortages, and more effectively prevent and contain forest fires.

As sustainability and social responsibility become higher priorities to businesses and the general public, the protection of natural resources and endangered species becomes more important, and UAVs can be useful. To help prevent poaching, for instance, drones can be dispatched to cover large areas of land with limited lighting by utilizing infrared cameras, which is highly beneficial at night. These cameras then can be used by conservationists to spot groups of poachers before they are able to cause any harm. This has the potential to help in the preservation of at-risk species, thus contributing to a more socially conscious society.

Additionally, crop health is significant to the rising human population. Many areas of the world experi- ence food shortages, and with the population growing to an estimated 9 billion by 2050, smarter and more cost-effective farming is necessary. Drones help farmers increase plant health by analyzing soil and fields, leading to greater awareness about the most productive areas in which to plant. When crops are planted, drones assist with watering them, which frees up time for farmers. Drones also monitor plants for disease. When disease is found, farmers are able to act quickly and may be able to avoid

significant crop failure by preventing the disease from passing to other plants.

Drones are used to study air quality and pollen count. This data could be used to inform the public or for scien- tific research. Solar-power businesses and wind farms are using drones to check on technical problems involving material loss or malfunctioning equipment without having to move staff to each area of the business. Wind turbine maintenance is one of the most dangerous jobs in the energy sector. The use of drones in this application greatly improves efficiency, productivity, and safety.

While environmental preservation is vital to a socially responsible society, the aftermath of natural disasters has largely been outside of society’s control. Natural disasters can result in loss of life and severe damages to indus- try. Each year, California experiences severe wildfires. Knowing that this happens annually, technology can be used to reduce the injury wildfires cause. The White House has asked federal organizations to utilize UAVs in conjunc- tion with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help increase the effectiveness of dealing with wildfires. Drones can locate “hot spots” and transport water to those areas to put out fires. This decreases the number of firefighters needed and improves the ability to fight fires at night.

Traditionally, ground and air control has been used to combat natural disasters. However, unlike ground and air control, using UAVs reduces energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The advantages of drones to society are strong and increasing every year. Drone technology has proven itself to be a viable, ecofriendly alternative in many applications. The abilities of drones will continue to develop with technological advancements and discoveries.

taken advantage of this marketing opportunity by implementing their own policies regarding labeling or the elimination of GM ingredients.

Another example of the backlash against GM organisms is in the dairy industry. Many large dairy producers use hormones, called recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) to increase milk production in cows. Many cows get sick from the hormones and are also given antibiotics. Even in the United States,

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