Using Technology to Improve the Future

There is no guarantee at the outset that advances in technology would necessarily promote environmental sustainability. Advancement of technology is a double-edged sword that can yield a range of effects depending on its users' abilities and expectations. Thus, the influx of automated processes has resulted in job losses and massive consumption of energy, which negatively affects the environment.

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The influx of automated processes has considerable energy demands. The misuse of natural resources, emissions, and waste generated by the consumption of short-lived low-cost products presents significant global sustainability challenges. Automated assembly lines alter production and consumption patterns, resulting in increased demand for electricity, thus raising greenhouse gas (Waibel et al., 2017). Automated assembly lines may also intensify unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, particularly if our reliance on rare metals for the production of electronic equipment continues to deepen. Rapid use associated with low-cost production has led to problems in the management of manufacturing waste and products whose purpose has ended and the conservation of natural resources (Dusik & Sadler, 2019). The emergence of potential composite materials and all types of electronic devices also presents new problems for waste management and recycling.

In the age of automation, the role of human labor has significantly changed. Automated assembly lines have taken over large parts of the workforce, resulting in mass unemployment. The potential dislocation of the large-scale labor force in areas with high population growth rates, especially in middle-and low-income export-oriented economies, would lead to migration to rural areas. As a result, there will be a rise in the usage of available resources for livelihood purposes (Dusik & Sadler, 2019). This may worsen already significant pressures on ecosystems. Increased population in the rural areas may overwhelm the resources available as people try to venture into new job opportunities. The open lands may be overwhelmed, causing soil erosion of the top fertile soil, resulting in the application of chemicals and fertilizers for farming, which may otherwise increase greenhouse gases. Also, water bodies may become polluted and scarce.

From that perspective, the ongoing advancements in technology can be strengthened by economic instruments such as those incorporating natural and environmental resources to use externalities of emerging business models. Also, those generating revenue for programs in social support for the transition of employees to new sources of livelihoods and occupations. The programs should promote emission and resource-saving innovations to reduce the negative impacts of the automated processes.

References

Dusik, J., & Sadler, B. (2019). What Effect Will Automation Have on the Environment?. https://www.iisd.org/articles/automation-environmentWaibel, M. W., Steenkamp, L. P., Moloko, N., & Oosthuizen, G. A. (2017). Investigating the effects of smart production systems on sustainability elements. Procedia Manufacturing, 8, 731-737. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351978917301002