With Knowledge Comes Great Responsibility

"Banff 2013" Digital image by Michelle Pak - Iphone 5 Panoramic

This picture of Banff's nature in all it's glory was taken by my sister-in-law on her Iphone 5 using the panoramic photo option....   She held in her hand the technology to capture the rugged and seemingly untouched natural beauty of the Alberta Rockies unconscious of the effects and impact that this tiny piece of technology may have on the very environment we were all so enamored and in love with.

There are inevitable negative impacts of any technological invention.  The earth is one planet, and we are all connected in some way or another because we share the planet.  The internet is not unlike a global brain, where we are connecting online like the synapses of brain neurons, learning new local and global information and perspectives (http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episode/the-nano-revolution-welcome-to-nano-city.html).  The challenges being faced by our technological  creations is having a detrimental effect on our shared natural environment (Dickerson & Kisling, 2009; Klemes, J., 2010; Kasper, Benardes, & Veit, 2011) and it seems that human kind is following the thought pattern of "out of sight, out of mind".   

How does human kind overcome this dilemma?  Is it up to the 1st world countries to take on the responsibility of teaching the 3rd/2nd world countries to uphold an environmental standards?  What does this mean in terms of government funding for environmental programs?  Klemes (2010, p. 588) describes the need for technology to inform "policy makers and industry" of the issues caused by technology itself in order to synergize the process of technology manufacturing, waste management and transportation efficiencies.  Is it fair to assume all countries have the ability to contribute to environmental recycling programs? Kasper et al. (2011, p. 725) state that recycling most of digital devices is possible and aids in, "low cost and represent and interesting and ecologically friendly approach to the management of waste polymers from electronic devices".  

One thing is clear in my observations and learning, the environment is suffering from our 'out of sight, out of mind' mentality.  We have the knowledge and ability to rectify the damage caused by irresponsible waste management.  With knowledge comes great responsibility and it's time we stepped up to plate.  It seems that technology may play a major supporting role in the process of mending our polluted environment but human innovation is the starring role and I believe we all need to support the evolution of technology consciously responsible for our shared environment.  Can technology support the enormous role of educating the global community? What are some of the most efficient ways to mend our habits and maintain consciousness?  How can we do it simultaneously with the international community?

References: 

Dickerson. J., & Kisling, F. (2009). Global and electronic waste: Information in business education. Journal For Global Business Education, 951-60.

Kasper, A., Bernardes, A., & Veit, H. (2011). Characterization and recovery of polymers from mobile phone scrap. Waste Management & Research: The Journal of The International Solid Wastes & Public Cleansing Association, ISWA, 29(7), 714-726.

Klemeš, J. (2010). Environmental policy decision-making support tools and pollution reduction technologies: a summary.  Clean Technologies & Environmental Policy, 12(6),587-589.