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Is Technology Bad for the Environment???  E-mail
Written by Hank Green   
Sunday, 30 December 2007

Certainly technology has been a negative force on the Earth's environment, y'know, ever since humans existed. But a new report says that technology will continue being a negative influence on the Earth even as humanity finally wises up to its metaphorical bed-wetting.

The MIT / Boston University study says that greenhouse emissions will increase faster in the next fifty years than they ever have. Indeed, the research tends to show a link in the advancement of technology and the use of more energy.

One would hope that technology would help us become more efficient, but if energy is cheap, then technology simply focuses on reducing other costs by using more energy. Thus, it seems that the only hope we have is for either for governments to legislate technological change, or to hope that gas goes to $6 a gallon...something I'm not particularly looking forward to.

However, we can likely expect both rising energy prices and legislation in the coming months and years. And I have a bit more faith in technology to rise to the challenge in a relatively short time. These kinds of studies don't generally take into account revolutionary shifts...which could easily occur if solar becomes cost-competitive with coal.

Via Environmental Research Web


Comments (9)add
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written by intech , December 31, 2007
its really a good notice for every one
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written by Gman , December 31, 2007
Yes, of course most aspects of modern, technology-based society are bad for the environment. But you raise an important issue that the modern green movement should face (and really does wrestle with).

Should we accept that we're living in the modern age and we buy and consume and discard stuff, or should we straight up reject all this technology.

Because if you've read any Internet forums, you have encountered people who would be happiest rejecting modern life (tho' they probably won't say it so bluntly). No cars, no TVs, no mobile phones, no kids' toys with batteries, and probably no computers if possible.

I consider myself a moderate crunchy person, in that I'll try to minimize my harm, but I accept and embrace all the technology around me. I'll replace my PC every 5-10 years, and not sooner. I still drool at all the latest digital cameras, mobile phones, high-efficiency-boilers, etc... but I'll phase my current stuff when it breaks or the new product offers me a significant new advantage.

--
Oh, the reason why greenhouse gases are going to increase probably isn't b/c of "advancement of technology", it's b/c of increased energy use due to more people in the world.
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written by thehacker (from mypants) , January 02, 2008
aw...the image for this article made me sad...It is good for everyone to realize these things though...
$6 a gallon?
written by jungle , January 02, 2008
The current UK gas price is $7.81 per gallon (over $8 for diesel). This has had virtually zero effect on car usage, outside of making getting to work very difficult for the very poor who can't afford public transport either, and in any case made up a tiny proportion of total car usage in the first place.

Legislation is the ONLY way forward.
cooooooooool!
written by Samantha , January 21, 2008
How is the modern technology a negative impact on the environment??? :0 Please reply as soon as possible. tanks~***
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If you get the chance, a drive down the Oregon side of the Gorge on the old Columbia River highway is well worth your time. I'd particularly recommend stops at Latourell and Wahkeena falls where very short hikes have very great payoffs, and if you're up for a few miles of hiking, those trails only get better.
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written by your mama biotch , September 18, 2008
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Hank Green
About the author:

Hank Green is the founder and chief geek at EcoGeek.org. Aside from being obsessed with saving the planet with technology, he loves to write and make videos. If you want to find out more about him, visit hankgreen.com

 
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