Technology has Negative Effects on the Environment

Industrialization coupled with technological advancement has continued to affect the environment in a negative way. Industrial benefits resulting from technological adaptation in major activities has indirectly contributed towards higher living standards though bad part on technology manifest more. This is evidenced by increasing international discussions and consultations through conferences and meetings. A major theme in such meetings is on environmental violations resulting from technology. Complaints and issues associated with effects of technology are arising globally (Ausubel & Sladovich,1999).

Environmental degradation is a growing concern as continued industrialization is being witnessed mostly in developed countries. There are three major negative impacts of technology on environment discussed in this essay. First, environmental pollution resulting from waste output is a resultant factor of technology. Contribution to global warming is the second effect of the growing technology. Lastly, depletion of natural resources and ecological imbalances experienced today result from technology.

To start, environmental pollution occurs as a result of technology mismanagement and lack of control measures. Technological improvement in recent years has seen production of more machines, weapons and automobiles. Increased consumption of improved facilities triggers demand which in turn influences supply of required quality of products that are major effectors of industrialization using improved technology. Importance of technology in such cases is attributed to satisfaction of human wants. Though adverse pollution of environment due to increased production in the manufacturing and processing industries, weapons testing and high usage of automobiles such as cars. Air pollution, water and noise pollution are the key components of an environment that has been continually polluted as a result of technology. Emission of large quantity of gases such as CO2 in the air by large industries causes air pollution which in turn has degraded environment immensely. Again, disposal of waste into the rivers and water systems by industries and other institutions is an environmental hazard through water pollution. Similarly, a lot of noise pollution from weapons testing and usage, industries in their routine production processes and automobiles is causative of environmental dilapidation (Ausubel & Sladovich, 1999).

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Furthermore, technology contributes towards depletion of resources. Development and usage of technology is contributing to increase industrial activity that requires raw material from natural resources such as coal, timber and wild animals. As well, extensive agricultural activities as experienced in Bangladesh is beneficial in terms of productivity but depletion of natural resources such as forest cover, water and soil fertility and its organisms composition is a likely event. Farming activities such as burning of bushes, deforestation and usage of chemicals to enhance soil fertility is an environmental exploitive. As well extensive mining of gold, diamond and other minerals is an activity that is contributing towards depletion of resources at an alarming rate. Overexploitation of fossil fuel and other resources ceases to be beneficial and becomes an environmental threat.

In addition, ecological systems imbalances and disruptions result from technological advancements in the modern world. Collapse of ecological life and extinction of organisms from their natural habitats is a direct probable result of technology. Wildlife extinction from their natural habitat to create more space for farming activities and home for increasing population is an evidence of how technology causes ecological imbalances. Availability of improved technology causes people to device convenient ways of satisfying their basic needs and increased productivity requirement. Human embark of activities such as deforestation, extensive farming activities, environmental pollution which lead to changes in the natural lifecycles that maintain ecosystem. Though ecosystems can rebound from these negative effects, continued of environmental degradation through destructive human activities affected by technology will eventually lead to collapse.

Lastly, current issues on global warming are negative effects of technology and environmental factors. Unchecked technology advancement and utilization specifically in areas causing air and water pollution leads to atmospheric gases imbalances (Ausubel & Sladovich, 1999). Emission of harmful gases such as CO2 in large amounts forms greenhouse effects that are the major components of global warming. Green house gases result from activities such poor farming methods, transport systems, manufacturing processes and renewable power generation activities especially using coal. Fossil fuel extraction through burning and clearing of farming lands through burning concentrates harmful gases hence affecting climate.

In conclusion, higher percentage of environmental problems is a direct result of technology mismanagement by innovators and users. A small portion of environmental issues relate to economic, social and natural changes resulting from human activities. Environmental pollution, ecological systems disturbances, depletion of natural resources and climatic changes resulting from global warming are technological influenced. Technology is significant in development and increased productivity to satisfy human need, but uncontrolled technology impacts environment negatively.

References

Ausubel, J. & Sladovich, A. (1999).Technological advancement. Washington D.C, US: National Academic publishers.