Two types of consequences

1. Pollution— substances damage environment
2. Depletion— loss of resources from unchecked Technological advances

ARE YOU DEPRESSED YET???

Is Technology the Problem or the Solution?

• The effects of technology on the environment is not an all or nothing proposition
• Damage to the environment is not a Modern phenomena
• Fixes of the Past
  1. England--16th cent. Deforestation as a result of ship building, construction, iron manufacturing. Forests were never fully restored but switch to coal helped some.
  2. Coal eventually faced total depletion
• Resource depletion often solved by use of other substitutes: wood— coal— natural gas— oil— electricity— solar energy— nuclear energy— ???
• We musn’t idealize the past as a time of perfect energy use and disposal
  • New York City- (early 20^th cent.) Replacement of horse by car appaulded
  • Horses generated 2.5 million tons manure/year. Ugh!
  • Cars viewed as far more environmentally friendly!!

Alternatives to Fossil Fuels

Nuclear Energy— an option, but very problematic

1. Requires considerable expenditure
2. Product of Nuclear plants is electricity, which itself is problematic
3. Not a source of primary energy
4. 2/3 lost in transmission
5. Requires Uranium for fuel— supplies are limited
6. By-product is plutonium— one of the most toxic elements on earth
7. Serious disposal problems— plutonium (½ life- 24,000 years)

Solar Energy

1. Great Stuff, but hard to use efficiently and cheaply

Other Minor Sources:

1. Wind Power
2. Geothermal
3. Methanol
4. Ethanol

• All possibilities, but not seriously considered in light of present energy sources
• Industrial society depends on use of massive energy
• Answer to problem is not elimination of use but rather regulation
• Today more energy is being used but it is being used more efficiently
• This is due in large part to the development of energy saving technology
• Minor changes in everyday technology (stoves and fridges) has made big difference
• So, the effects of technology on the environment is not an all or nothing proposition

• Cars and trucks us ½ earth’s petroleum supply
• Major source of environmental damage
• Making motor vehicles more efficient would greatly reduce pollution and depletion
• Three ways to do this:
  1. Reduce weight of vehicle (use of plastics and aluminums) Safety issue here
  2. Improve aerodynamics (improving air resistance— improves fuel economy)
  3. Make engines and accesories perform more effectively (powertrain)

"While the development of technologies can improve environmental challenges; the greatest source of change will come from individual choices, corporate and gov’t policies, distribuition of income and power and most importantly... AN OVERALL WILLINGNESS TO FORSAKE SHORT TERM ADVANTAGES FOR LONG TERM BENEFITS" (103)