Technology, environment and the future

Technology, environment and the future

1. Types of technological fix

   • Appropriate technology
     • Level of income, skill and needs of the local population
     • Does not necessarily mean low tech
     • Top Down: organised and controlled by TNCs. High Tech: reliant on sophisticated systems etc. Capital and energy intensive: complex to maintain and produce
     • Bottom Up: organised by locals/NGOs. Low Tech: older, tried and tested technology. Labour intensive: reliant on human/animal energy to build and run it
   • Megaprojects
     • Only way to develop a high income, consumer economy.
     • Civil engineering projects which reflect the top down approach
     • Locals generally have little input and many say that they abuse individual rights.

2. Overcoming environmental issues - Geoengineering

   • Sulphur Aerosols - Sulphate particles scattered in the stratosphere from balloons or planes block incoming solar radiation and cool the planet.
     • Costs $50 bil every 2 years, sulphur could damage ozone, acid rain could occur, rainfall may be disturbed.
   • Space Mirrors - Launching giant mirrors into orbit to reflect solar radiation away from Earth
     • Russian attempt failed in 1999, lightweight mirrors need to be developed, costs exceed $1 trillion
   • Ocean fertiliser: iron particles added to oceans to encourage plankton, which sequesters carbon dioxide as it grows.
     • Oceans could become acidified, extremely expensive, UN fears biodiversity would be harmed.
   • Synthetic Trees - intended to sequester 90000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. Use sodium hydroxide to capture carbon which would need to be buried
     • Lots of trees needed, takes up a lot of space, trees would need to be powered, deep burial sites are needed.

3. Sustainable futures

   • Many argue against geoengineering as it allows pollution to continue
   • A change of attitude is required to stop the problem rather than focussing on developing new technology
   • Assessing Sustainability on a microgeneration house
     • Futurity (will it last) - most installations have a 30 year design life and should perform well over this period
     • Equity (Does it benefit everyone) - Installations are expensive an there is a risk that only wealthy benefit. Some installations have negative externalities.
     • Public perceptions (is it bottom up) - as the installations are small scale, home owners can decide which suit them best
     • Environment (Is it eco-friendly?) - the installation are zero carbon but they use resources ad energy during manufacturing

4. Business as usual

   • Likely to lead to further increases in emissions, land degradation and water shortages
   • Global inequality is likely to grow
   • Bangladesh - 10 million live on land less than 1m above sea level. Groundwater has turned salty, affecting food security.
     • Sea level might be slowed if different technology was used
     • Coastal population might be relocated inland
     • Traditional farming methods used
     • Sea defences could be constructed
     • Flood warning technology

5. Technological Convergence

   • Around 700 million vehicles globally
     • Seen as a status symbol
     • Increase mobility
   • The spread of motor vehicles is an example of technological convergence
     • Allow individual mobility
     • Road transport plays a key role in development
     • Transport in industry accounts for 5-10% of GNP
   • Indian built Tato Nano, priced at $2500, shows how keen LEDCs are to get mobile
   • More cars = more emissions

6. Energy Efficiency

   • 12% of GHG emissions come from transport - likely to increase as car numbers grow
     • Price of fuel - reduce demand
   • Global competition to find a 100mpg 4 seater car - winner wines $7.5 million
   • If widely adopted, could have a dramatic impact on GHG emissions.
   • Electric cars could reduce emissions if they use renewable sources of electricity. Lightweight batteries are expensive. Limited distance can be covered by a single charge.
   • Hydrogen cars will only emit water vapour, producing hydrogen is energy intensive. Major safety issues, H is extremely flammable.
   • Biofuel is close to carbon neutral, concerns about land to grow plants for fuel rather than food.

7. Technology Transfer

   • IMF - the world is becoming increasingly unequal since 1980. Due to technology
     • Rising levels of technology requires a workforce with skills and education
   • Education was key to ensuring people in LDCs could benefit from new technology
   • To prevent the technology gap from widening further, technology transfer to the LDCs is required.
   • Commitment to development technology index
     • Measures MDCs willingness to allow technology transfer
     • Countries with high index scores, such as France, are characterised as:
       • Refusing to grant patents for new plant varieties - could deprive LDCs
       • Not using bilateral aid as a lever to extend intellectual property rights
   • If MDCs want LDCs to adopt technologies that might help, they have to be available at a low cost.
     • Achieved by: waiving patent and intellectual rights.
   • Solar power - if extensively used must be cheaper than fossil fuels.
     • Rely on NGOs to provide funding required to use the technology.
     • Practical Action - Installed 6000 water pumps to LDCs at a cost of $6000
     • Provide 40ltrs per person per day, improve food security and health. They store 3-5 days of water as a buffer against cloudy periods.