As a final task, we had to explore to the UN Environmental Topics and choose one, and with this information deliver a speech. The topic I chose to explain was how Technology affects the environment
Here is my speech, hope you enjoy it!
Technology. First of all, let’s start with a definition. Technology means the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. So, you might be wondering why I’m talking about technology when others have been talking about environmental topics, well, it may not be obvious, but technology has an impact on the environment.
We all know that technology has brought many environmental and social problems, but it’s a key element for promoting the conservation of our planet. For example, technologies used for treating waste help solve environmental problems whereas refrigeration and air-conditioning systems that use ozone-depleting refrigerants, have huge environmental impacts associated with their use.
There is a term that I want you to know about, Environmentally Sound Technologies. They are the technologies that from a life cycle perspective, protect the environment, are less polluting, use resources in a sustainable manner, recycle more of their wastes and products, and handle all residual wastes in a more environmentally acceptable way than the technologies for which they are substitutes understand, utilize and replicate the technology, including the capacity to choose it and adapt it to local conditions and to integrate it with indigenous technologies.
Technology has come so far; did you know that there is an app that can calculate the amount of rainwater that’s been collected in a roof? I know, it’s crazy, but rainwater harvesting is really important nowadays, especially in countries like Africa, not only because it ensures greater water security, but because it can also improve livelihoods of women and children by reducing time spent on fetching water: women still spend 16 million hours a day collecting water in 25 sub-Saharan countries.
For example, a person in Turkana county in Kenya can enter her location (Kenya, Lodwar), the length and width of the roof of the house (in meters), the number of family members, and the quantity of water used per day. The app returns the estimated amount of rainwater that can be harvested, and the quantity of water for a family.
The lack of water in Africa is a real challenge, studies calculate that by 2025 more than 2.8 billion people in 48 countries will face water stress or water scarcity conditions.
