A Combined Initiative

Zaina and Aya have made a clear case that technology is an obvious part of the environmental harm we have caused the planet but it can also be part of the solution. In order for us to form a sustainable society, or probably be able to continue as a society, we must make use of technology. I see technology as inseparable in our drive to create a sustainable manner of human life. Obviously the discovery of the uses of fossil fuels over the decades has significantly harmed our planet. We all know that the petrochemicals in many electronics and household goods are toxic not just for humans but for our waterways and animal life as well. So yes technology has been the catalyst for human destruction of our environment. But, I also see it as an intrinsic part of a sustainable society.

I believe that the environmental problems facing our society are so large that they need a multifaceted approach to be solved. Just as using low energy light bulbs and carpooling once a week will not end our addiction to environmental destruction, simply creating new technologies will not create a magical world of never ending resources. I see a combination of actions as being our only possible way to create an environmentally sustainable society. First, we must collectively use less of everything. This is going to need to be not just changing light bulbs. We need to build viable public transit systems that will allow people to easily give up their cars. We must farm in environmentally friendly ways. We must as a collective society commit to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Coupled with this, I believe we must fund research for technologies that will not only help us develop in a manner that will not ravage the planet but also remove some of the harm that we have already done to the planet.

This combination I see as being intrinsic to our success. I believe that technology increases very rapidly but it will not save us without two things: direction, and purpose. It is up to the international community to sponsor technological development in manners that support these things. Also, at the same time we must reduce our consumption because technology cannot possibly move fast enough to save our society. If we do not at least begin to slow the sea level rise and the exploitation of mineral resources there may not be anything left for technology to save.