As we continue to drive industry forward and the human footprint carves a lasting mark on the planet, a growing global crisis demands urgent answers. Solution may very much lie within the tools that created the problem. New technologyechnology is coming to save the planet.
Science continues to come up with new ways to help the environment. You might have heard of plastic eating algae. Maybe you know about giant machines pulling CO2 out of the air. But there are some new technologies and older ones that are showing unexpected value when it comes to protecting the environment.
These are 4 high-tech inventions that prove we can help the planet and not destroy it:
Drones seed forests and monitor illegal logging
Drones have been used for war, used to deliver packages, and now used to deliver seeds. BBC wrote about a project designed to expand the rainforests in the South West of Bodmin. In about 8 hours, drones were able to seed 11 hectares of land with 75,000 seeds of oak, alder, wild cherry, birch, and hazel; all of which are native to the area. The project officer Sam Manning was quoted, “Drones are potentially much faster and cheaper at dispersing seeds than volunteers.” Also saying, “… many potential woodland creation sites are either too steep, unsafe or remote for people to plant or scatter seeds.”
These mini flying machines are also fighting the battle of deforestation and illegal logging. Amazon Conservation describes themselves as, “an organization using science and innovation to protect the Amazon.” They use drones to monitor parts of the largest tropical rainforest in the world. Gathering information and evidence, they work with local communities and governments to protect this critical environment necessary for a healthy planet.
Biodegradable Sensors
As advancements in technology have allowed us to monitor the pollutants in soils, take important data on wildlife, and measure general soil health, an unwanted outcome has been electronic waste. The solution lies in eco-friendly, biodegradable sensors. It Direction writes, “These sensors decompose naturally, reducing the environmental footprint.” The sensors are composed of material like cellulose, silk proteins, and magnesium. The results are promising moving us toward a cleaner world.
At the University of Glasgow they’re creating screen-printed, biodegradable soil sensors to help farmers improve crop yields. Phys Org explains, “The project aims to develop a complete system where the biodegradable sensors are powered by solar cells and supercapacitors also made from sustainable materials, enabling a fully environmentally friendly solution for precision agriculture monitoring.”
Solar farms
Another relatively new, green technology that finally shows sustainable promise is solar energy. California uses solar power more than any other source of energy for the state. This past year it surpassed natural gas as the main provider of electricity, and that trend will continue.
An unexpected benefit is some solar farms actually create safe environments for wildlife. A large solar park in Brandenburg, Germany has created a flourishing breeding ground for Larks and other bird species. An article by pv magazine reports that 21 to 47 breeding pairs can be found every 10 hectares. Birds are nesting between the rows and sheep keep the vegetation short. The animal waste brings diverse flora and insects to maintain healthy diets for the birds.
Robots restore coral reefs
Underwater drones are making a difference. Recent breakthroughs have robots replanting coral, removing debris, exploring hydrothermal vents, monitoring marine life, and operating in environments to deep and dangerous for human divers. Marine Biodiversity & Sustainability describes these new robots as operating more energy-efficiently and utilizing advanced battery technology that allows them to work longer.
Artificial intelligence executing advanced algorithms, allows the submerged robots to identify various types of waste and perform precise collection of debris. The article further states, “In pilot programs across various marine environments, automated cleanup systems have shown the ability to collect up to 500 kilograms of marine debris daily, operating with minimal human intervention and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional cleanup methods.”
Final Thoughts
We’ve been doing a lot of poisoning to this planet. Often we forget the damage we cause because the convenience is so high. The simple truth is most of us are completely incapable of making any radical changes. Changes that are necessary to turn things around.
Outside of signing a petition, marching against poor policy, or boycotting criminal polluting companies, the fear is there’s little for us to do. The hope is young aspiring scientists and experienced experts seeking to leave positive legacy, can create the technology that will right the wrongs. As long as we look toward healthy solutions, there is always hope.
