Introduction
Technology is a key part of everyone’s life due to its advancements experienced at school, work, and home. Technological advances have become so meaningful to people’s lives. In addition, annually, new technologies emerge to assist humans to have a quality and safe life by permitting them to do more using less effort. The essay explores the topic of technology as a possible solution to environmental damage.
The Environmental Concern
The environmental issue is global warming pollution that is contributed to through burning oil, gas, and coal for energy needs. People do not just fulfill their energy needs; they drive the existing global warming crisis. Fossil fuels generate a large amount of carbon dioxide when they burn. Carbon dioxide emissions trap heat in the air and contribute to climate change (EPA, 2022). Further, burning fossil fuel releases pollutants that result in heart attacks, stroke, respiratory disorders, and asthma.
Causes of Global Warming Crisis
Based on the observations and signs from the activities of humans, they are considered the main source of global warming. Human activities and emissions have contributed to approximately 100 percent of the warming experienced since the 1950s (EPA, 2022). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report observed that over 50% of the noted rise in global average temperature was because of human activity (Hausfather, 2022). Developed nations comprising Canada, the United States, most of Western Europe, and Japan are accountable for 50% of all global warming greenhouse gases emitted from industries and fossil fuels over the last 170 years (Popovich & Plumer, 2021). Hence, it is right to associate the increasing global warming crisis with human activities.
Proponents of the Technology
The issues around climate change, reliance on expensive and unstable supplies of foreign oil and gas, and urban air pollution have led researchers and policymakers to examine alternatives to traditional oil and gas-propelled internal combustion engine automobiles in the transportation industry (EPA, 2022). Since automobiles that get all or some of their energy from an electric driven may have low or zero greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollutants. In addition, they may consume less or no petroleum or gas. Critics say that EV batteries require rare metals to make, and creating electric cars leads to more emissions (Aziz, 2017). Therefore, there is a potential for electric vehicles (EVs) to resolve climate change and minimize dependence on fossil fuels.
Use of this Technology
Electric vehicle technology is currently in use and has advanced rapidly since its initiation. Nowadays there are many battery EV alternatives and plug-in hybrids available on the market. The future is promising for this technology as 35% of new automobiles sold in 2026 should be hybrid or fully electric from the current 16% (Yozwiak et al., 2022). However, in 2030 the target is 68 percent, and 100 percent by 2035 (Albritton, 2021). Therefore, this technology presents an alternative to the use of fossil fuels and remedies the issue of climate change.
Cost and Drawbacks of this Technology
Electric cars have a higher upfront cost having an average value for each vehicle priced high. In 2020, the average EV price was $54,668, which is higher than the general market average of 42%. The shortcomings of electric cars are their batteries require rare metals, manufacturing EVs creates more emissions, and one cannot drive as far in the EV. Thus, EVs have continued to increase in their price due to the increasing cost of materials and making them costly to buy. Based on my research, I believe this technology might be an effective technological fix for the global warming crisis.
Conclusion
The global warming issue is attributed to the increasing use of fossil fuels globally. However, developed nations are seen to contribute more to the rise in greenhouse gas effects. There is an increase in emissions from traditional petroleum and gas-driven vehicles; hence, the introduction of EVs can help to mitigate the climate change issue. However, electric cars are perceived to be expensive and even manufacturing them creates greenhouse gas emissions.
References
Albritton, J. (2021). Five things you thought you knew about electric vehicles.
Aziz, M. (2017). Advanced charging system for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. Hybrid Electric Vehicles, 9(3), 313-328.
EPA. (2022).Climate change.
Hausfather, Z. (2022). Analysis: Why scientists think 100% of global warming is due to humans. Carbon Brief.
Popovich, N., & Plumer, B. (2021). Who has the most historical responsibility for climate change?
Yozwiak, M., Carley, S., & Konisky, D. M. (2022). Clean and just: Electric vehicle innovation to accelerate more equitable early adoption.