Great Thunberg’s thought-provoking words started a row on social media about climate change and the greenhouse effect. Something that we only took seriously to write an exam paper or fancy speeches. The emissions of greenhouse gases are rising and the ozone layer is depleting. It is high time that we recognize that we can not risk our environment for the sake of profit and development. So no matter what our ignorant politicians say, climate change and the greenhouse effect is not a hoax.
Climate Change and Global Warming are the pressing issues in the world. If left unchecked it will have terrible consequences. Climate Change is a long-term shift in the global weather pattern which is caused by global warming, the emission of greenhouse gases. Global Warming is just one of the aspects of climate change. It refers to a rise in global temperature due to the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. These greenhouse gases have the ability to trap heat, thus resulting in the rise of temperature.
The emission of greenhouse gases is rising at an alarming level. However, we did not reach here overnight. The largest contributor to the rise of greenhouse gases is the burning of fossil fuels for industrial and domestic purposes. Deforestation and intensive agriculture are the other causes of climate change.
In the race to be the best, many industries are exploiting the environment using technology. The waste produced by them is not disposed of properly. The mining projects, deforestation of land to set up factories is destroying the ecological balance of nature thus ultimately leading to air and water pollution. This is resulting in the rise of global temperatures, rise in sea levels, melting of ice caps, and other health-related problems.
Solution
So you must be wondering, is this it?
No, we still have time.
The answer to this problem is ‘Sustainable development and clean energy and the best way to achieve this is Technology’. The technology that is harming our environment can be boon.
Technology plays a major role in resolving major societal problems. In recent years, we have seen a significant rise in the use of environmental technology. After the enforcement of the Paris Agreement on Climate change in 2016 many big tech owners like Bill Gates came forward to invest in environmental technology to tackle climate change.
Present-day Technology that Reduces the Greenhouse Effect:
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Electric Vehicles
According to a report, road transport contributes 90% of greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector in India. The best alternative to fossil fuel-run vehicles is Electric Vehicles. It is probably the most fascinating technology in the world because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. According to EDF, energy in one electric car can save an average of 1.5 million grams of Co2. So, you can say goodbye to black smoke and smog. But to do it on a large scale we need better infrastructure. We require an efficient battery and better battery charging technology. Many companies like General Motors, Tesla, Nio, and Switch Energy Acquisition Corp. (SBE) are producing electric cars. Scientists are also exploring the aspect of reusing and recycling batteries. This step will help us reduce air and water pollution due to improper disposal of batteries.
So we hope you are ready to switch from fossil fuel-run cars to electric vehicles!
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Lab-Grown Meat
Yes, we all love juicy chicken wings and tasty kebabs but according to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), meat and dairy specifically account for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That is the main reason behind the rise in the number of vegan consumers. But, many people find it hard to quit on meat, so researchers came up with the concept of lab-grown meat.
You heard it right, lab-grown meat is real. Researchers are bringing an alternative of meat that is grown from the animal cells in a lab. They are trying to develop lab meat that tastes and feels like real meat. Companies like Beyond Meat created the world’s first plant-based meat burger. So plant-based meat is the future!
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Smart Technology
When someone talks about smart homes and technology the only thing that pops our head is convenience. However, we would like to point out some other benefits of smart technology, that is, protection of the environment. Yes, there is a direct correlation between smart homes and climate change.
Let us explain to you how.
We often forget to switch off the light or close the tap or turn off the TV. This not only contributes to wastage of energy but also contributes to carbon emission. Technological upgrades like smart thermostats, smart lighting, smart security, window treatments, and smart water-saving will help us reduce our carbon footprint.
- Direct Air Capture
Remember photosynthesis? Plants convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into energy-rich compounds and oxygen. This technology is similar to photosynthesis.
The process of capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air is called Direct air capture. The captured carbon dioxide is then utilized in the production of carbon-neutral fuel. Companies like carbon engineering provide this affordable technology on a large scale. This technology is still under development but many researchers predict that it will be a game-changer in the reduction of the greenhouse effect.
To conclude, we live in a profit-driven capitalist world where we often forget that in the end the real cost is borne by the planet. The technology that is many times blamed for the destruction of nature can be our knight in shining armor. We have to search for alternatives that will help us save our planet because the future generation is counting on us.
“We deserve a safe future. And we demand a safe future. Is that really too much to ask?”
-Greta Thunberg, Global Climate Strike, New York, 20 September 2019
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