6 Ways Modern Technology Can Help Reduce Our Negative Impact on the Environment

Technology is truly the best quality of mankind. It allowed us to communicate in different ways, transformed the way we work and live our daily lives, and even gave us the opportunity to explore the universe. But as our own planet suffers from climbing temperatures, rising sea levels, and pollution on a global scale, technological advancements might also help us to save the Earth and preserve the environment that nurtured us for millennia. To that end, here are some innovative ways modern technology can allow us to reduce our negative impact on the environment:

Paperless alternatives

Apart from aiding in deforestation and cutting down trees that are essential for producing clean air, paper production also utilizes a staggering amount of water, another one of our planet’s finite resources. For that reason, going paperless can play an important role in protecting the environment, and the advancement of technology has thankfully allowed us to reduce our consumption of paper and printed materials.

Invoices, bills, and bank statements can now easily be received via e-mail instead of snail mail, mobile applications have replaced notebooks, planners, and diaries, and QR codes can now be used instead of menus or even as an identification solution, thus effortlessly allowing us to reduce our paper consumption on a daily basis.

Smarter, more efficient homes

With an increasing number of households around the world becoming “smarter”, living sustainably at home has never been easier. Smaller devices such as motion-activated lights, smart meters, and smart thermostats have now become common aspects in most homes, helping to conserve a significant amount of energy in an average household.

What’s more, technology has also allowed us to improve the efficiency of larger appliances and systems in our homes. Today, aspects that tend to be quite wasteful when it comes to energy, like heating and cooling systems or washers and dryers, can all be controlled directly from a smartphone, giving individuals the opportunity to save more electricity on a daily basis.

Oil & gas industry advancements

As the need for more eco-friendly solutions rises, even the industries that were previously considered to be more damaging to the environment are now forced to find more sustainable alternatives to their standard practices. For instance, streamlining the process of extraction and the usage of oil and gas can make these resources greener by preventing the equipment from malfunctioning and thus leading to environmental catastrophes.

For that reason, oil and gas companies are investing in newer, more efficient equipment such as high-quality gate valves that are designed for reliable, long-lasting performance. In addition, aspects like logistics improvements and automated drilling can also help to increase safety and efficiency within the industry.

Plant-based plastics

Considering the fact that billions of pounds of plastic end up in our oceans each year, polluting our waters and endangering marine life, it’s clear that a more sustainable alternative is needed to help preserve the environment. And thankfully, plant-based plastics could be the potential solution.

Made from plants or other engineered biological material, bioplastics could significantly reduce our carbon footprint, as they tend to be fully biodegradable and much more eco-friendly than their traditional alternatives. With the demand for plastic around the world being at an all-time high, plant-based solutions could be incredibly beneficial, and quickly grow into a booming industry sector in the upcoming years.

New meat substitutes

Another way in which technology could help to preserve the planet is through the further development of “fake meat” options. It’s a well-known fact that the meat and dairy industry is incredibly harmful to the planet, consuming vast amounts of water, land, and other valuable resources, which is why new alternatives are desperately needed.

However, as only a small percentage of the population was ready to completely give up on meat and other animal byproducts, technological advancements were essential for creating a more viable solution. That’s exactly where “fake” or “impossible” meat comes in - a synthetic alternative to traditional meat that looks and tastes just like the real thing, and could be of great benefit to the environment.

Environmental monitoring

New products and innovative technologies are also being used to enforce environmental laws and regulations. For instance, environmental sensors that are capable of monitoring air and water quality and detecting pollutants are among the new applications utilized to efficiently preserve the planet.

However, groundbreaking technologies might prevent criminal networks and protect endangered wildlife as well. By using anti-poaching drones and smart software that predicts poaching hotspots, we might be able to save animals from extinction and contribute to a healthier environment overall.

While preserving the environment might be an incredibly demanding task that requires a collective effort, novel technologies will evidently play an important role in reducing our negative environmental impact and creating a healthier and brighter future for all.

About the author:

Derek Lotts is an experienced freelance writer and researcher. His main areas of interest are small business, home improvement, and sustainable living. He strongly believes in the power of sharing knowledge and ideas through the mediums of modern technology.