NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY ON THE ENVIROMENT

Considering the topic of the month which is basically about the environment and how technology has had an impact on it, I personally decided to research more into the negative effects. Technology is supposed to be a thing of today, we use it for various purposes because it simplifies work and makes it easier. The question is “Have you considered the negative effects it possibly poses to the environment?” Mostly, when we talk about technology, I have noticed that we focus more on the positive side than the negative and that gave me the urge to look at the negative effects of technology. Western technology has led to many impacts to the different countries who import the technology. The inventions of different techniques and tools have so much changed the way of living of individuals. Though it has led to many developments and the cause of improvements of the people’s lives. However, it has also contributed to negative effects to the environment and I have outlined a few below.

Air pollution

Technology such as the invention of vehicles, air conditioning and other advanced gadgets has caused air pollution. Advancement of the things that require fossil fuels reduces the amount we have and if burned emits carbon dioxide into the air. The release of carbon dioxide and other green houses gases released in the air has hence caused global warming of the earth.

Global warming

Industrialization as a result of new technology mostly releases many gases to the environment as a result of pollution that is release of the harmful gases caused eroding of the ozone layer resulting to global warming. This has led to the destruction of the natural environment as the weather patterns have changed causing long periods of drought in the areas.

Destruction of natural environment

Natural resources, forests and aquifers’ have been greatly by the technology advancement of other techniques has resulted to destruction of the natural environment example the use of fossil fuels has greatly led to getting rid of forests. These has negative impacts on environment as the destruction of forests results to soil erosion, poor air, effect of weather patterns among the other factors.

Water pollution

Western technology such as the invention of hydroelectricity and industrialization has negative impacts on the water. Because the poor management of hydroelectricity and poor handling of waste products of industries which are released to the water bodies has cause pollution to lakes and rivers. Oil and other wastes pollute underground water and even kill aquatic animals.

Soil pollution

Is another technological factor that has caused negative environmental impacts? The liquid wastes from the industries are usually not properly disposed causing deadly chemicals to leach into the ground which might cause poor productivity in agriculture.

Solid wastes

The production of the non degradable and non recyclable solid wastes by the factories has also caused a big threat to the environment. As they are deposited to the land where people leave causing even bad smells and a big risk to the health of the people around there.  

Generally, the western technology is advantageous if adopted as it will help in the development needs of the countries especially on the developing countries. However there is need for them to research on the effects of the technology on the families, community and the environment before adopting on any technology.