The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of our environment, is to get everybody involved ~ Richard Rogers
Environmental technology, also known as green or clean technology, has an impact on the environment in their inputs, processes and outputs. Environmental technologies are technologies developed for the specific purpose of addressing an environmental problem. These include, technologies for sewage treatment, water purification, minimizing waste disposal problems, processing pollutants, proper handling of toxic or hazardous wastes. The use of technology is the need of the hour for environmental cleanup.
Technology is a double-edged sword—which is capable both of doing and undoing the damage to environment. Technology and the environment can be looked at in four key areas: energy, climate, water quality, and waste cleanup. In each case, we illustrate the dual nature of technology’s environmental implications—its benefits and drawbacks. The misuse of technology and its wrong implementation has led to environmental pollution. There has been a significant rise in the production of machines and automobiles as there has been a rise in demand, which facilitates increased consumption, thereby triggering increased supply of the products that have had a major hand in industrialization with respect to improved technology.
Environment monitoring is an equally important factor when we say and talk about environment technology. We have to constantly keep in mind the future we will be creating with the products of green technologies. This is important because the interrelationship of society and technology is what will harness the environment. Environmental sustainability requires responsible interactions to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources, as well as proactive protection of our environment over the long term. Improper waste management and chemical releases can expose communities to unacceptable risks and harm natural ecosystems.
Technology for the environment is a blessing in the modern industrialized world. Sustainable development sits at the core of environmental technology—it has adopted practices that fuel economic development by avoiding the depletion of natural resources and further polluting. Simply, environmental technologies aim to protect the environment. They offer ways of consuming which are less polluting or do so in a sustainable manner, and often provide new ways to avoid depletion of natural resources altogether.
Mittali Tyagi
SRC Mentor
Schiller Institute Sr. Sec. School