COP26 recently concluded with mixed results. One thing that is not in question is that climate change is happening faster than we can manage. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the world as we know it. It simply means we need more efforts to solve the problem. As usual, the mix of science and technology can make huge strides towards a better outcome.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways technology is tackling climate change.
Sustainable Farming
Farming, especially cattle farming, is often blamed when we consider environmental changes.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, global livestock emits “7.1 Gigatonnes of Co2-equiv per year, representing 14.5 percent of all anthropogenic GHG emissions.” Of that, “beef and cattle milk are responsible for the most emissions, respectively, contributing 41 percent and 20 percent of the sector’s overall GHG outputs.” (FAO.org)
One of the ways technology can help the beef and dairy industry is by providing better monitoring for all aspects of the farm. For example, Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc. recently committed to helping Happy Cow Creamery install easily-monitored sensors in refrigeration systems. As a result, Happy Cow is losing less product. These sensors potentially stop waste that unwittingly doubles production and pollution.
On the same farm, a lagoon collects waste from the cows and turns it into fertilizer. This lagoon requires careful monitoring to ensure levels are safe. Hitachi provides the farm with a monitoring system that exponentially eases farm maintenance and lessens the environmental impact. (hitachi.com)
On a larger scale, technology has provided ways to counteract the changes we continue to make through our modern lifestyle.
Utilizing Carbon Emissions
The Netzero Teeside project is taking place in an industrial part of England. The project aims to capture CO2 emissions and decarbonize industry and power to kick start the hydrogen economy using Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS). The project also partners with similar projects sharing infrastructure to multiply the benefits.
Electric Planes
Currently, airplanes cause approximately 2% of the world’s carbon emissions. This number may seem small; however, the use of private planes is growing and, given the emissions per passenger number is more significant on private planes than commercial flights, must be addressed.
In October 2020, a hybrid electric plane flew for 2.5 hours. This is a huge stride that has led U.K. company EasyJet to invest in e-flights for commuter travelers (RollingStone.com)
Urban Development
Inner-city areas with less vegetation raise the heat index, exacerbating climate change, causing heat waves, and leading to massive surges in air conditioning (one of the leading causes of domestic environmental issues).
“Tropical Medellín, Colombia, has planted more than 350,000 trees and shrubs since 2016 to create 30 shaded “green corridors” that have reduced urban temperatures by more than three degrees.” (RollingStone.com)
How We Are Helping!
At Tech One IT, we set up apprenticeship programs for some of the nation’s larger companies and emerging start-ups focused on ways to combat climate change. Get in touch today if you would like to kick start your technology career and get involved in a world-changing industry!
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