Tied to Technology

Because technology is such an integral part of daily life in the industrialized countries (such as the United States), I think that it is impossible to present it as a negative force – any significant environmental change will have to evolve in tandem with technological advancement. And as developing countries experience exponential growth, their key to success is technology. Consequently, neither party is willing to give up technology at the cost of their current or future economic success and societal happiness.

While I understand that technology has harmed the environment, the benefits of technological advancement should not be ignored. As Yumiko already stated, human quality of life has vastly improved as technology improved; these advances are clearly seen in higher life expectancy rates, the lowering of widespread disease (and sometimes, the total elimination of a disease), higher education levels, and an international economic boost. Since people are very acutely aware of the ways that technology has helped their individual lives, they will be loath to decrease that technological influence. Therefore, regardless of whether technology holds the key to a resolution of the world’s environmental challenges or not, the public is too attached to technology for any other solution to be totally accepted.

Personally, I am constantly impressed with the ways in which technology vastly improves our lives, and I think that people will use technology to help the environmental problems in the world. Technology is a slippery slope, and I think that the global society has passed the point of no return, and therefore, must embrace technology as part of the ultimate solution to the world’s environmental challenges. Technology must be included in any meaningful conversation about the deteriorating environmental condition, but it doesn’t have to be the only solution that the world relies on. I think that we should embrace technology but supplement it with additional solutions that the environmental experts have suggested.