Technology is often blamed for many of society's ills. However, technology is not all bad. In fact, technology is playing a big part in saving the planet from the environmental impacts of man-made climate change. These are seven of the ways technology is helping to save the planet.

1. Conserving Resources

Smart technology can alert consumers when an appliance is wasting energy or let them know when a part needs to be replaced. This can help consumers fix minor problems before they become major repairs or necessitate replacing the appliance, which could lead to the old model ending up in a landfill.

Smart sprinkler systems can automatically regulate when sprinklers are running based on the weather so that businesses and residential consumers are not wasting water by running their sprinklers right after a rainstorm. Green buildings are designed to take advantage of natural light to reduce the need to expend energy artificially lighting spaces. This results in fewer fossil fuels being used to generate electricity for lighting buildings.

Labor is another valuable resource that can be conserved by utilizing technology such as sales automation. Automating mundane tasks frees up employees to do other more valuable things, such as implementing green programs at their workplaces.

2. Reducing Energy Use

Smart devices can automatically shut off the power to electronics and other equipment that are not being used. They can also perform tasks such as alerting your office manager when an employee has left the refrigerator door open. Smart thermostats can be programmed to reduce the amount heat and air conditioning is run when employees are not in the building. Smart bulbs can detect when someone is in a room and power on and off accordingly.

3. Education

Schools across the country are investing in smart classrooms that conserve energy while also creating a better learning space. These smart classrooms can also improve student interaction and increase participation. Smart lighting has been found to make students more alert. Improved classrooms provide better opportunities to educate future engineers and scientists on the value of conservation efforts.

4. Fighting Air Pollution With Big Data

Machine learning algorithms are being used to combine anonymized data from mobile networks, weather, traffic and other sensors to monitor the air and forecast pollution levels. This data makes it possible for city officials to take steps to reduce emissions when they are forecast to reach harmful levels.

5. Reducing the Impact of Single-Use Plastics

Many parts of the country have begun banning or restricting the use of single-use plastics, such as plastic straws, to reduce the environmental impact. The impact of the remaining single-use plastics may be significantly diminished by replacing existing plastics with plant-based, biodegradable plastics.

6. Meat Substitutes

Scientists have been trying to convince the public to reduce meat consumption because of its devastating impact on the planet for years, but with little success. However, the popularity of meat substitutes, such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, is starting to make an impact. Further advances in the technology used to manufacture these substitutes should continue to increase the appeal of these products to consumers, which will hopefully convince more people to reduce their consumption of real meat.

7. Smart Grids

Many modern power companies still run off of outdated technology. Because of their sensitivity to changes in usage and output, most of these grids require an overproduction of energy to function. Smart grids can eliminate the need for overproduced energy.

Some technologies, such as the automobile, have had severe negative impacts on the environment. However, new technologies may be the key to reversing the damage done to the planet before it is too late.