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| "Banff 2013" Digital image by Michelle Pak - Iphone 5 Panoramic |
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.
I absolutely agree that we have a responsibility to care for our environment. But I'm alarmed at the suggestion that the so-called first world countries might be in a position to teach the second, third and fourth world countries anything about sustainability. After all, it's our hyper-consumption that's the cause of most environmental degradation.
ReplyDeleteCanada, specifically, seems to be in no position to lecture others. Our government formally withdrew from the Kyoto protocol in 2011 ("Canada pulls out", 2011) and has now withdrawn from the UN drought convention ("Canada's withdrawal", 2013). If we weren't a big part of the problem, we could argue that we don't need to participate in the solution, but that's simply not the case.
While agreeing with your conclusion, I am partial to the economic argument of externalities. When a company produces a product, such as a mobile phone, there are costs of production such as invention, licensing, parts, manufacturing and sales. However, it also imposes costs on society that are borne by all, not by the company. In the example of producing a mobile phone, we might consider pollution, exploitation, planned obsolescence and waste. The proper role of government would be regulate the industry and require the company to internalize these negative externalities. The argument continues that if companies were required to shoulder the full costs of their activities, as in recycling old phones in our example, they would make better informed and more realistic choices.
Whether the optimal outcome, in my example, is for phone makers to innovate products that are more durable, more recyclable or less wasteful, it appears to me that the solutions exist locally. There is no place for first world countries to preach to other countries until we clean up our own act and model appropriate behaviour.
References:
CBC (2011, Dec 13). Canada pulls out of Kyoto protocol. Retrieved Apr 4, 2013 from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/12/12/pol-kent-kyoto-pullout.html
Star (2013, Apr 2). Canada's withdrawal from drought convention harms national interest. Retrieved Apr 4, 2013 from: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/04/02/canadas_withdrawal_from_drought_convention_harms_national_interest.html
How does humankind overcome the dilemma of our technological creations on our shared environment? Not only is it ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality, but combined with the ‘throwaway’ mentality we are compounding the problem. I distinctly remember being horrified by the waste when a clip broke on our fridge after only 11 months. The company could not find a replacement part, and because it was covered under warranty, they replaced the entire fridge! “In order for change to occur, the business education community can begin teaching students at all levels about the connections between technology use, the composition of electronic materials and the handling, recycling, shipping, labor and international trade of e-waste.” (Dickerson & Kisling, 2009, p. 56).
ReplyDeleteYou ask if technology can support the role of educating the global community. I would say no. It’s up to us to educate ourselves and others. Technology is a tool that we need to use conscientiously as responsible citizens. “This topic [e-waste] allows students to learn about responsible purchasing and disposal of electronics as a part of business education.” (Dickerson & Kisling, 2009, p. 55). I only hope it occurs prior to the point of no return.
References
Dickerson, J., & Kisling, E. (2009). Global and electronic waste: information in business education. Journal For Global Business Education, 951-60. http://ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=43278562&site=ehost-live