Technology and the Environment
The environment is a broad topic. Here, we take a look at how technology affects our natural environment. The natural environment has many aspects. Anything that human did not create is part of the natural environment. This includes land, air, water, animals and other forms oflife. Humans have drastically affected the natural environment through the creation of cars, and other technologies, the development of lands and the consumption of natural resources. While it seems that our technological developments have led to environmental degradation, we have also begun to look for technologies that can help improve environmental quality.
Recent technological developments have made it possible to preserve species. This is explored in Melissa's paper. Melissa looks at reproductive technologies that are being used to help save endangered species in captivity and technologies that help save animals in the wild.
Developments in automobiles give us the chance to decrease pollution and limit the use of natural resources. Automobiles have always been an environmental concern because they use huge amounts of oil and produce a lot of pollution. Technologies like the hybrid or fuel-cell cars aim to decrease the negative impact that driving has on the environment. Erin discusses the pros and cons of hybrid cars in her paper.
While we have many technologies
to help limit our affects on the environment,we don't always take advantage
of them. Despite the availability of fuel-efficient cars, our cars
usemore gas per mile today than they did fifteen years ago. In her
paper, Jennifer advocates the possibility
of government regulation of automobile fuel economies.