9.3 Technology and
Environment
Environment Change Causes
Population Growth
It led to demand for croplands which increases use
for agricultural purposes resulting in deforestation,
soil erosion, and etc. It affects not only land but water
including overfishing.
Statistics of Growth
In 1900, the world population was 1.6 billion. By 1950,
it had risen to 2.55 billion. By 2000, the population
was 6.12 billion.
Urbanization
Increasing size and number of cities will
pressure those who grow food with intensive
farming methods which depletes soil and cause
erosion or more deforestation.
Statistics on Urbanization
By 2025 in some estimates, 5.1 billion people will live
in cities, and can cause a lot of waste build-up
which can pollute the water.
Globalization/Industrialization
In developing countries, industries continue to
grow, using energy and resources for
manufacturing in demand which moves closer to
coal reserves.
Examples of Effects
Workers in developing countries in the industry
are creating a middle class that increase the
market products such as cars which requires
metals and other stuff, contributing to pollution.
9.3 TECHNOLOGY
AND ENVIRONMENT
GLOBAL WARMING DEBATES
CARBON FOOTPRINT
Carbon Footprint - the amount of carbon dioxide that
each person produces - was recommended to be
decreased by experts. Without the reduction, it’d
create catastrophes within global warming, more
powerful than natural disaster such as hurricanes.
DEBATES FROM ACTIVISTS
Activists argued that the term “global warming“ was
too mild to the action of the global world. Instead it’d
be humanity facing “climate emergency/crisis.”
Skeptics also argued whether global warming was
happening due to human activities.
CARBON EMISSIONS
Many government leaders agree about global
warming as a global response, but countries disagree
on reducing carbon emissions. For example in 2007,
China passed as the world’s emmiteer of carbon
dioxide, proving the developed countries to reduce
their use of fossil fuels.
KYOTO PROTOCOL
The first major international agreement to reduce carbon
emissions was the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. Developed
countries like Western Europe and U.S. argued that
developing countries need to curb their output of carbon
dioxide. But US refused to sign it and China and India
weren’t required to agree to the terms .
GLOBAL ACTION
In 2015, 195 countries signed the Paris Agreement, that
gave new hope for progress against global warming.
Leaders of both the Us and China supported this new
deal. However, in 2017, President Trump announced
that US would withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
CLIMATE ACTIVISM
15-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg raged in
speech at a UN climate conference in 2018, and
eventually, it led to a global climate strike with more
than 125 countries.
9.3 Technology and
Environment
Environment Change Effects
Environmental issues are problems that arise from the impact of humans
on the environment and threaten the continuation of life. Humans have
taken advantage of raw materials and natural resources due to increased
industrialization which damages and creates global epidemics.
1
Resource Depletion
With the use of petroleum and oil in the Industrial Revolution, the
earth’s resources were depleted by half during mid 1800s. Experts
could predict that with increasing urban growth and population,
more resources will be used up at a faster rate (30-40 years. While
supplies of coal are used, it’ll take another 60 years to be depleted
out of the system.
Scarcity of Resources
2
According to the UN, more than 1 billion people lack clean, drinkable
water. World Health Organization predicts that by 2025, half of the
world will lack safe drinking water. In 2015, global leaders comprised
with 17 goals to make the earth a better place by 2030, a referral
back to 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals. A continuation of
these problems will face poverty, injustice, and climate change.
3
Changes in the Atmosphere
With increased industrialization comes with factories, airplanes,
automobiles where they emit huge amounts of pollutants in the
atmosphere, including carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
The continuation of the greenhouse gases will build up the
atmosphere and can trap heat into Earth like Venus. Even, trapping
carbon resources such as forests and unused farmlands shrink by
day.
Renewable Energy
4
Concerns on fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, etc., from
companies and nations, they increase investment for renewable
energy, replenished by wind solar, water, and etc. Expensive costs
created a slow development to efficient be used. But at the same
time, new
techniques/technologies reduced cost. Experts predict that by 2050,,
half of the world’s energy will come from renewable energy.
5
Increasing Awareness
The “Club of Rome” - an organization meant for scientists, diplomats,
and others- formed to promote solutions to issues affecting
humanity. It made awareness to resources depleted, prohibiting
economic growth. A Green Party was formed to focus on the
environmental issues. On the contrary,the Green Belt Movement was
made to protect wilderness from urban growth. By 21st century, it
helped plant more than 51 million trees which improved soil quality