There was a time not so long ago when the ideas of technological progress and environmental responsibility were seen as incompatible. Advancement was seen as an inherently destructive process that took humanity away from our natural roots. How the times have changed! Nowadays, green technologies are empowering individuals to live lives in harmony with the world without sacrificing the benefits of civilization. Here are a few ways that technology is securing our natural resources for the future.

By Keeping Things Local

Local is more than just a buzzword. Decentralization of systems like food production and power generation can have a positive impact on sustainability since, by definition, wasteful transportation networks are no longer necessary. Inefficiency of product distribution used to be a drawback to localization, but advancements in technology have made autonomy a powerful option for resource management. Organic farms can be quite productive with the right scientific techniques. Rural water treatment systems are saving lives around the planet. Even the digital world can be made more community-focused and specialized through the use of systems like the micro data center, which allows local connectivity without sacrificing ecological responsibility.

By Making Energy Clean

One of the greatest threats to the world today is the release of atmospheric pollution, most notably greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. According to EPA research, energy generation is second only to transportation as a source of greenhouse gas emissions. That's because as of 2018, a full 63% of our energy is still generated by fossil fuels. The good news is that green energy is rapidly becoming capable of fulfilling our growing energy needs. Between 2011 and 2017, solar energy went from providing 0.1% of our energy needs to 1%. As of 2017, utility-scale solar power cost only $0.06 per kilowatt-hour. These numbers add up to a revolution in how we make the power that drives the world.

By Restoring Damaged Land

It shouldn't be surprising that everything in our global ecosystem is connected. Yet, many people don't see just how big of an impact something as simple as litter or spilled chemicals can have on our food, water and air. Also known as remediation, land restoration is at the cutting-edge of environmental technologies, and refers to not just the tools and techniques used to clean up polluted land, but also the actions taken to restore natural balance. New ultra-absorbent polymers, nanotechnology and the use of soil vapor extraction to remove volatile chemicals from soil are just a few of the many groundbreaking technologies being employed right now to clean up the planet. Land remediation even helps to tackle air pollution, as some air pollutants can be safely sequestered in the ground.

By Educating the Public

The media gets a bad rap these days and, unfortunately, a lot of it is earned. The media can, however, also be a powerful force for spreading awareness both of environmental concerns and the solutions to them, especially with so much data available at the touch of a smartphone app. Environmental literacy really is like learning a new language; the language of planetary science as applied to our own home planet. Everyone being educated on environmental issues not only democratizes the process of policymaking, but also helps to remove ideology and groupthink from the process. Universities are currently partnering with an array of nonprofit organizations to bring about this massive and necessary focus-shift in education.

We don't have to choose between civilization and nature. What we need to do is think smarter about how we create and sustain that civilization. Learning how technology makes things better is the first step towards utilizing it to build a safe and beautiful tomorrow.