Sustainability is one of the most controversial topics throughout the history, and as our society develop, we realize that being able to be sustainable is essential to survival of our race. The book Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Sustainability is a collection of articles on different side of various issues related to sustainability. In the book, Issue 8 discusses the ability of technology to deliver sustainability, and issue 16 and 17 discusses the sustainability of food and energy. While issue 16 and 17 are well-presented, the arguments in issue 8 are not very strong. Issue 8 Can Technology Deliver Global Sustainability? As our culture develops, we gradually realize that we have to find a sustainable way of living so that we can protect our race as well as all other races on the planet. Industrialized countries and some developing countries are continuously researching new technology in order to be more environmentally friendly. The issue 8 features the question “Can Technology Deliver Global Sustainability?” The question is a good, controversial question, however, it is too broad to be discussed with one or two articles; the question can be approached from aspects such as environmental, social, economic, etc. Both articles chosen talk about only one fraction of the topic, therefore they cannot answer the question as a whole. The Yes side does a good job on presenting the details; however, I think the topic choice is not particularly good to answer the question. The author of the yes side article, Joanna Lewis, is a professor of Science, Technology and International Affairs at Georgetown University. She carries out the point that technology is able to deliver sustainability with the support of government in her article “Techn... ... middle of paper ... ...ver, it doesn’t answer the question “Can Nuclear Energy Be Green?” The article “Is Nuclear Energy the Solution?” by Milton Saier and Jack Trevors addresses various issues about why nuclear energy is not a good energy source. The article presents a lot of data regard to its sub-argument, and those data is really good support to the argument. The authors compare the Nuclear energy with other energy sources, and state that “between 1000 and 2000 new nuclear reactors would have to be built around the globe to achieve a meaningful impact on CO2 emissions” (446). The author concludes that nuclear energy is not a good energy source to use, due to its costs and risks. In general, the essay presents a good point, but it doesn’t really answer the question. However, the article can be a good supplement to the yes side argument to assess that is nuclear energy really “green.”
The following case study critiques Upton’s vision to establish a sustainable community through implementing comprehensive sustainable strategy. The urban periphery development is thought to demonstrate superior execution of sustainable principles in development (Jackson 2007). As a parallel, the report focuses on the development of Upton’s design code and demonstrates how large -scale mix-use developments can incorporate sustainable practice and principles of urban growth.
Ehrlich continues by pointing out that cultures do not only develop as simple, predictable reflections of their environments. The influences do not only run in one direction; cultural beliefs and practices may lead to large-scale environmental changes made by a society. The culture of a given society may influence how and to what extent that society interacts with its environment. The rate at which cultures acquire new technologies has historically been highly variable; on the one hand, a culture may deliberately restrict the use of a given technology or simply may not have the cultural demand for an available technology (1) . On the other hand, many cultures seem to have desires and appetites that far exceed a sustainable method of utilizing their environment. All too often, the practices of a society over-strain its existing resources in ways that leave those resources irretrievably damaged.
Although nuclear energy may emit less carbon dioxide as compared to oil or gas, it is nowhere near the alternative energy source we need. A Huffington Post article showed that water shortages, exacerbated by global climate change, minimizes the ability for expansion of nuclear power plants. As the generators require large amounts of water to keep them cool, they must be built on large water sources, mostly rivers and lakes. This reliance on water severely limits the places the nuclear power plants could be built, which makes nuclear an unreliable resource to replace oil and gas in the future as it could not meet all our energy needs. Furthermore, in 2009, France was forced to shut down many of their power plants due to the unseasonably warm summer it had, most likely caused by climate change. As our Earth continues to heat up and more places experience drought, nuclear energy is less and less reliable due to the reliance on cold water. Additionally, runoff from the water flows into nearby water sources, causing thermal pollution to the animals and ecological consequences. Coupled with the fact that we still have no idea how to properly dispose of the waste material left behind from nuclear reactions, nuclear power is not the alternative energy that solves major world problems. This hurts future generations, as we will not only create yet another reliance on an energy source that harms the planet, but divert attention away from truly solving the issue on hand. A Bloomberg New Energy Finance report from early June projects that as early as 2028, solar energy can replace the oil and gas sector demands. The cost of projection would also decrease for both solar and wind energy by 66-71% within the next ten years as well. Solar and wind have considerably less risks to the environment and, regarding these as more possible
The high standard of living that we enjoy here in the United States depends entirely on the availability of natural resources. These sources provide some with a luxury life and for other a means of just surviving. However with the attitude of the United States revolving around material items, this, unfortunately, has inevitably depleted our resources across the entire supply chain and generates a dangerous amount of environmental pollution. Also, the worldwide growing population and the need for more resource use is growing steadily. Although technology has helped us in many ways, it also has added significantly to these problems.
“Technology has always been a double-edged sword, and we don’t have to look further than today to see both profound promise and peril.”(Kurzweil, pars 15). If Kurzweil had used this statement for his conclusion instead of his optimistic final view, his article would have produced a more convincing argument.
Sustainability requires the interplay of other disciplines from the fields of science, economy, and social studies. The disciplines must function all together at a go, not in isolation. Once that is archived, sustainable development is also due to be archived. Philosophy is needed to be in practice in order to have an efficient way to approach sustainability. Mostly environmental sustainability is the one that is seen to be important, which includes the following aspects; water, energy, oil and other resources which are finite. The balance between the social, economic and environmental sectors yields sustainable development (Giddings et al., 2002). Sustainable development is classically defined as meeting the needs of the present generation without, in any way compromising the needs of future generations (IISD., 2003). Pragmatism requires us to predict, take actions and to be innovative in problem solving which is done through scientific research, this philosophy teaches us to be practical (Christopher., 2013).
There has been a vast advancement in the industrial development. The development of plastic has been a boon to the modern era. The development and advancement in the modern technology has played significant role in the various stages of the modernization. Although the introduction to plastics has been a significant step in the industrialization, the excessive use of the plastic products has affected environmental sustainability. Proper planning is very essential to implement the sustainability actively. There are many steps taken by various businesses to minimize the harm the plastics can do to the environment by reduce, reuse and recycle. One of the recent examples of planning to strengthen sustainability is by Walmart Inc. It has taken initiative
As we now see that Technology and Society are interdependent on each other to an extent, we must ask ourselves what is technology exactly. According to the syllabus, ”Technology can be represented as one means by which society meets its needs and solves many of its problems” Syllabus. Black and Harrison in their 1994 publication seemed to agree, stating that “Technology has been called upon, when practical solutions to problems have been called for.” (Black and Harrison, 1994, p.13) Both of these references suggest that technology is there to help us, helping us to solve problems in our everyday lives. However, we must question these practical solutions on the basis as to what the problems are? And also, who creates these problems? It could be said that it is society as a whole creates these problems which then creates a niche for these new techn...
The effects of technology on society will always be a double edged sword. The debate is a never ending one, in which both sides have valid and compelling arguments. The Industrial Revolution reduced manual labor in the long run, but had negative consequences such as child labor and sweatshop conditions. Nuclear Power reduces the cost of producing energy, but raises serious environmental issues like pollution and radiation. In this day in age refusing to assimilate to at least some form of modern living is simply not an option. One invention causing controversy today that has yet to cease being alter, modified, and “improved” since its debut is the ever present cell phone.
Humans have been destroying the planet since we were able to stand on two legs. As a society, we need to work to reverse these terrible effects that our existence has on the planet. Sustainability is one way to begin reversing these effects, while still living our daily lives. In 2006, Al Gore presented his documentary, “ An Inconvenient Truth”, as a way to show the world the evidence behind global warming, climate change and the destruction of our planet. This documentary shocked the world. It was clear that changes needed to be made, but the destruction was more intense than previously thought. SInce this revelation in 2006, companies have tried to cut down on their greenhouse emissions, as well as offered sustainable products to their customers. Through a debate of morals and
"The science of human sustenance is inherently a social science. Neither physics nor chemistry nor even biology is adequate to understand how it has been possible for one species to reshape both its own future and the destiny of an entire planet."(Overpopulation Is Not the Problem By Erle C. Ellis Sept. 13, 2013) Modern technology gives us the opportunity to start an Environmental Revolution. This revolution consists of innovative green technology. Humanity has already taken a step toward this change implementation of solar powered energy and smart cars are only a few examples. The goal that plans to be reached are more efficient advancements of technology, smarter planning both in urban and regional areas as well as policies that support industrial
The article was very positively and negatively opinionated using by sources that were credible and demonstrated strong emotional appeal. The use of opinions made by different individuals validates this article to be diverse, yet comparable. A few of the words in the article are a bit difficult to understand without having to look up their meaning. Millar’s article contains weak and strong points, however, it does proclaim exactly what the title is called by utilizing these sources. Overall, technology is vital in our world today to help you, but should it be a
Sustainability Revolution: Earth, the planet we call home, is a complex system made of interdependent parts and pieces of life that are constantly changing. Earth’s planetary system has maintained a balance of dynamic equilibrium—it has been sustainable— since its beginnings about 4.5 billion years ago. This balance, however, has been progressively disrupted by us—humans— especially during the last few decades. Mother Nature has provided us with natural resources and the habitat for all species to sustain life on our planet. Since the industrial revolution, we have maintained a belief that these resources are infinite, and that economic growth and our attempts to improve our standards of living can continue forever. All forms of human economic
Environmental sustainability is making decisions and taking actions in the interest of protecting the natural world, preserving the capability of the environment to support human life and ensuring that humans use the environment in a way that does not harm the environment. It also questions how economic development affects our environment vice versa.
Has Technology morally put the environment and nature on the back burner? Are we living lifestyles that are constantly putting our health at risk? Due to technology our economic status is on the verge of collapsing? Is there a race by Americans to see who could use the resources of the earth faster? These questions and a lot other arise when discussing the problems with our environment. Through my research paper on an artificial environment I hope to cover those problems that come about when arguing the facts about technology. What can we do to prevent the changes we are making in our environment from destroying the physical basis