The planet is veneering a major climate crisis and it’s absolutely peremptory that we take action to reduce our carbon footprint. With the celebration of World Earth Day, it’s only natural to innate the fervent role that green technology plays in preserving our lionized planet and mitigating the effects of carbon emissions.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” — Robert Swan
As our world continues to rapidly rejigger with advancing technology, it’s pivotal that we explore sustainable alternatives to combat our carbon footprint. Taking that into consideration, let’s delve into the plethora of green technology solutions available to us in today’s modern age.
Green technology is a comprehensive term that encompasses a variety of technologies and methods utilized to reduce carbon emissions and promote the “Caring for the Earth” approach.
Contemporary product development is utilizing robust digital transformation technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to enhance the performance, durability, manufacturing, and lifespan of products.
1) Internet of Things:
The coalescing of IoT technology into software applications is a game changer! The ability to convene data from interconnected devices and analyze it — has revolutionized the way we approach technology. The sheer number of IoT is expected to surmount 40 billion by 2025, which means twofold connectivity between devices worldwide. This will enable real-time data analysis and insight that can commend user experience and application convincingness. But that’s not all; the IoT has also paved the way for green technology. With apropos devices, we can monitor, and reduce energy consumption, manage waste and water usage, and ultimately make our planet a better and more sustainable place to live. Nowadays, IoT is recognized for its energy-saving hardware and software, such as intelligent home applications, industrial automation applications, and healthcare applications that recuperate processes to reduce energy usage and carbon emission.
2) Artificial Intelligence:
AI has the potential to recast the way we live, work and interact with each other. Examples range from virtual assistants to self-driving cars, the possibilities seem boundless. AI can perform tasks that were once cliquish to humans such as decision-making, speech recognition, visual perception, and language translation. However, the whack of artificial intelligence (AI) on the environment is also a matter of great disquiet. The information and communication sector generates about 3–4% of CO2 emissions, which is a significant contributor to climate change. This is where sustainable AI disembarks, and its focus is on developing AI systems that are designed to promote an environmentally friendly future. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power are used to emancipate AI development and reduce carbon footprint. Sustainable AI is an exciting field that is gaining a spur and has the potential to change the world for the better.
3) Machine Learning:
Machine learning is a propitious technology, it involves the development of algorithms and models that minimize energy imbibe and emanation during its development and training. This is one of the invigorating applications of machine learning that promotes sustainable practice and reduces carbon footprint. Companies like Walmart have already started using machine learning to augment their operations and taper their energy consumption. Walmart is able to reduce food spoilage and energy wield, ultimately reducing its carbon footprint. This means that not only does machine learning help us reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, but it does so in a coherent and sustainable way.
4) Cloud Technology:
Cloud technology is revolutionizing the way we access and store data applications. With remote access, there is no exigency for physical hardware, such as servers, storage devices and other equipment. This not only reduces the cost of hardware sustentation but also has a consequential impact on the environment. By reducing e-waste, cloud computing succour in lowering carbon emissions and preserving natural resources. A recent report by Accenture, “The Green Behind the Cloud”, highlights the flair of cloud technology to bequeath significantly to sustainability efforts. Companies can reduce carbon emissions by ratifying to a cloud-first approach and migrating to a public cloud. Accenture predicts that migration to a public cloud can reduce global emanation by as much as 59 million tons of CO2. With cloud computing, the future looks green and promising for sustainability.
5) Green Software:
As technology quantum leap and more people become aware of the environmental impact of their activities, the need for green software has become increasingly seminal. In May 2021, Microsoft, ThoughtWorks, Accenture and GitHub — together with the Joint Development Foundation Projects LLC and The Linux Foundation established the Green Software Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at developing a network of “people, standards, tooling and best enactment for green software.” Green software is steered to reduce the amount of energy used in computing activities, making it efficient and environmentally amiable. This can be achieved through various methods such as minimizing hardware requirements and optimizing algorithms for better consummation. Tools and resources like Intel’s Power Gadget, PowerLog, and Powerstat are available to developers for measuring and managing energy consumption. Green software has become a key component of many businesses’ sustainability strategies, as it helps them improve their energy efficiency and reduce emitting fewer greenhouse gases.
The world is burgeoning at an unprecedented pace, and with it, our planet is facing numerous challenges. Climate change, deforestations and pollutions are just a few of the many problems that our planet is scuffling with today.
However, there is hope. Technological vicissitudes are impending and making a real difference in forestalling our planet. For instance,
smart homes are designed to optimize energy consumption. Electric cars are becoming more accessible, making it a cinch to travel without contributing to air pollution. Moreover, renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are increasingly becoming prominent, thereby reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
Lastly, if you are a green motivator, keep up the good work, and know that you are part of a global movement of people who care about the earth and are taking action to protect it.
