Technological Fix: Can Technology Fix The Environment?

Technological Fix: Can Technology Fix the Environment?

For this assignment, you will write a 500-word expository essay on the topic of technology as a possible solution to environmental damage. Your essay should have a clearly established and sustained viewpoint and purpose. In addition, your writing should be well ordered, logical, and unified, as well as original and insightful. Following are the content requirements of the essay: Although you may use additional academic articles obtained from the Purdue Global Library, here are some notable sources: MIT Technology Review, Nature, Smithsonian Magazine, Scientific American, United Nations Environment Programme, EPA, National Geographic, Discover, USAID. Select one technology that may help correct an environmental concern. What is the environmental concern? Did humans cause this environmental concern? What do proponents of the technology claim? What do its critics say? Is the technology currently in use? If not, what is the potential future use? How costly is this technology? What, if any, are the drawbacks of this technology? Based on your research, do you believe this technology could be an effective technological fix? Your paper should also meet the following requirements: APA format, title page, introduction, APA citations, double-spaced sentences, 12-point Times New Roman font, conclusion, and reference page. Three sources minimum (including the class text). Ensure your writing follows standard English grammar conventions, with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Use logical, well-ordered sentences.

Paper For Above instruction

In the face of escalating environmental issues driven largely by human activity, technological innovation is increasingly being explored as a viable means to mitigate environmental damage. Among several proposed solutions, carbon capture and storage (CCS) has gained significant attention as a promising technology to address greenhouse gas emissions resulting from fossil fuel consumption. This essay examines the potential of CCS as an effective technological fix to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, thereby alleviating climate change impacts.

The primary environmental concern addressed by CCS is the rising concentration of greenhouse gases, specifically CO2, which contribute to global warming and climate change. Human activities, notably the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas for energy, have markedly increased CO2 emissions since the Industrial Revolution (International Energy Agency, 2020). Scientific consensus affirms that human activity is the main driver of this environmental problem, necessitating technological interventions to curb emissions if global temperature rise is to be contained within safe limits (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2022).

Proponents of CCS argue that it presents a critical technological solution that can significantly reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants and industrial facilities. By capturing CO2 emissions at the point of origin and transporting them underground for long-term storage, CCS can potentially decrease global emissions by up to 90% in certain sectors (Global CCS Institute, 2021). Advocates highlight its compatibility with current infrastructure, making it a practical approach to immediately address emissions while renewable energy technologies are scaled up.

However, critics raise concerns about the feasibility, risks, and costs associated with CCS. Firstly, the implementation of CCS is capital-intensive, with high upfront costs for capturing, transporting, and injecting CO2 into geological formations. According to the International Energy Agency (2020), the estimated cost of CCS ranges from $40 to $70 per ton of CO2 captured, which could translate into increased energy prices for consumers and economic burdens for governments. Moreover, critics argue that CCS might encourage continued dependence on fossil fuels, delaying the transition to renewable energy sources (Smith, 2019). There are also environmental risks, including potential leaks from storage sites, which could negate benefits and cause localized contamination.

Currently, CCS technology is operational in several pilot and commercial projects worldwide, such as the Boundary Dam in Canada and the Petra Nova project in Texas. These projects demonstrate the feasibility of capturing and storing CO2 at scale, but widespread adoption remains limited due to economic and regulatory challenges (Global CCS Institute, 2021). Future development of CCS aims to reduce costs through technological innovations and improved policies, making it more accessible and sustainable in the long term.

In conclusion, although CCS presents a technically feasible and potentially impactful solution to reduce human-induced carbon emissions, it is not without drawbacks. Its high costs, environmental risks, and potential to prolong dependence on fossil fuels pose significant challenges. Nonetheless, given the urgent need to address the climate crisis, CCS can be a valuable component of a comprehensive strategy that includes renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency. Based on current evidence, CCS has the potential to be an effective technological fix, especially if coupled with policies that mitigate its drawbacks and promote sustainable energy transitions.

References

• Global CCS Institute. (2021). The Global Status of CCS 2021. https://www.globalccsinstitute.com/resources/global-status-report/
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2022). Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/
• International Energy Agency. (2020). Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage. https://www.iea.org/reports/carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage
• Smith, J. (2019). Environmental risks of carbon capture and storage. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(3), 1552-1558.
• United Nations Environment Programme. (2021). Emissions Gap Report 2021. https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2021