The health of our planet is something that affects us all. There are steps that we can take individually toward a greener future, but innovation as a whole also plays a large part in the well being of the earth. Technology is growing by leaps and bounds every day, but are the new advancements in fuel-efficiency enough to lead to a fully sustainable society?
Why is it Important?
Pollution is the largest deteriorating factor for our air, water, and soil. Every year, this build up is contributing to worldwide damage through major weather changes, economic decline, and health issues. By limiting our use of traditional fuels, we can reduce this impact and slow the progression of global damage.
Technology is the main resource for us to bridge the gap between the activities that are causing this damage and the changes that must be made to correct it. Nearly everyone needs to get to work, heat their home, or treat their water. Companies will continue to meet their product demand, and both businesses and consumers around the world will continue to use the internet. All of these things are important to our day-to-day lives, so the best defense is to make these actions sustainable.
What Are the Solutions?
In response to worldwide government intervention and an increase in consumer demand, companies are starting to change the way they consume energy for operation and production. The automobile industry isn’t the only one to develop energy-efficient solutions on a large scale. Factories, corporate offices, and processing plants are also turning to alternative energy sources like solar power, fuel cells, and single-cycle gas turbines.
Changing the way that businesses operate is the quickest and most impactful way to save energy since companies are the top consumers of fossil fuels worldwide. Updating offices with efficient lighting and electricity apparatuses, battery storage, and even double-paned windows can make a major difference if these changes are implemented on a large scale. Thankfully, more and more businesses are falling in line with these sustainability benchmarks.
Can Consumers Make an Impact?
While the majority of our global carbon footprint is created by companies and larger groups, we can also lower emissions on an individual basis. Owning a fuel-efficient vehicle or using eco-friendly public transportation is one small change we can all try to make. Other common devices, including light bulbs, heating systems, and home appliances, are also being manufactured to reduce environmental impact. For example, installing solar panels on your home can greatly decrease your contribution to fossil fuel consumption. With this change, you can also save an average of $1,335 per year on electricity costs.
Are These Changes an Effective Action Toward Sustainability?
We still have a long way to go if we want to lower the damage that has been caused by fossil fuel consumption, but it’s still possible. These technological advancements have given both consumers and companies a way to produce the same or similar results with much less environmental impact. Businesses can still produce products, and individuals can still do everything that was once solely possible with fossil fuels.
If we continue to develop changes in technology that prioritize green energy and sustainability, we could drastically improve the state of the earth within the next 25 years.