“Forest fires have been drastically increasing…” “frequent earthquakes make the dwellers question their life staying safe at their home…” water level rising, ice melting” “list of endangered species is hiking…”
A breath-taking report was released in the previous years mentioning the forecasts of what our future MAY look like. The report didn’t actually talk about what the situation would be or how it will take place but it sure did mention the difficulties mankind would be facing and how we as humans can no longer ignore the state where our climate is heading.
However, some of the few predictions read somewhat like this; increase in poverty, conflicts, natural disasters, mass extinctions, and of course civil wars.
I know why you are here. To know how technology helps this inevitable situation. At least how to reduce this atrocity. Well, let’s head on.
From the dawn of technology, especially when scientists and tech maniacs understood that “Well, technology can be used to eliminate or reduce the climate change to some level.” Take any industry for instance. Education? In automobiles? or big giant factories, Technology has played a major role in resolving heavy tasks and issues by simplifying them into biteable sizes.
Below are a few of the many ways in which technology is assisting in reducing climate change to some extent.
Geoengineering
This is what we call tit for tat! Even though it is a controversial method, geoengineering is also known as planet hacking. Why? Simply because this is another way of hacking into the planet’s existing resources to find valuable solutions that can help the world. Didn’t get it? It is believed that climate change can be halted or somewhat stopped by man-made means. How does it do? By carrying out 2 forms. carbon dioxide reduction or solar radiation management. The former is by establishing algae farms and planting more trees, obtaining emissions from power plants for resources. The latter is by emitting the volcanic ash in the form of a coolant. Another way is setting up of mirrors in space to redirect solar rays. Or an easy way, painting the roofs white and not black.
Mapping
Unlike the controversial topic of geoengineering, Mapping altogether is a better topic to discuss here. Yes, like the name itself it is a simple, but powerful, very interactive, and powerful map to help us assist the rising level of sea level in many parts of the world. The world is big. I mean literally huge. And to understand and study how each part of the world is affected due to climate changes, especially floods, droughts, and sea level rising, Mapping is a bonus point. A recent survey by U.S Geological Survey raised its support by launching a $13 million 3D Elevation Program to help the land by giving effective warnings and updating flood maps and detecting land for wind as well as solar farms.
Hackathons
This is one of my personal favorites. Hackathons gather fresh ideas, out of box ideas by gathering journalists, tech giants, people interested in geology, and scientists. There are also companies, institutions, organizations, and also Governments who have come to the forefront to help Mother Earth. Hackathons simply put are becoming the face of Climate change. Many Governments are organizing their own hackathons. These 3 points are just the tip of the iceberg. We have a long way to go and technology and its innovation have given us no sign of resting. We are yet hoping to witness what Bill Gates once mentioned, “We need energy miracles.”
Apart from Geoengineering, Mapping, and Hackathons, IoT (Internet of Things), Data Centres, and Clean Energy revolutions will also change the way the climate is acting up now by bringing the heat wave and rising sea level down.
