Sustainable Technologies Reshaping Industries
Sustainable development is such a development of society in which the conditions of human life improve while the impact on the environment remains within the economic capacity of the biosphere so that the natural basis for the functioning of mankind is not destroyed.
With sustainable development, needs are met without prejudice to future generations. The concept of sustainable development is seen as a prerequisite for the long-term progress of mankind, accompanied by the growth of capital and the improvement of environmental conditions. It implies the development of the region through self-organization with a framework of external support that prevents the possibility of its transition to a state of irreversible degradation of the environment.
For humanity as a whole, this concept entails a partial, purposeful, supportive transfer of financial resources from rich regions to poor ones, with a wide exchange of environmental knowledge and information.
Sustainable development is basically a harmonious (balanced) development – a process of change in which the exploitation of natural resources, the direction of investment, the orientation of scientific and technological development are coordinated with each other and strengthen the current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations. In many ways, it is about ensuring the quality of life of people.
Sustainable development is impossible without the help of modern technology. Different innovations are already revolutionizing various spheres of human life. In this piece, we will showcase some of the most important examples of sustainable technologies used in different industries.
Farming
A new direction in agriculture is to support the concept of social and environmental responsibility. This concept is relevant because production costs are rising, the cost and price of products are constantly fluctuating, food safety requirements are becoming more stringent, and consumers want to receive better and healthier products. To meet these requirements, agricultural producers must increase production while reducing costs. Of course, this requires the use of special technologies that are gathered under the umbrella of precision agriculture.
Precision farming technologies allow growers to determine the need for plant protection per square meter, which makes it possible to process crops with high precision. This is very different from traditional farming, where the processing accuracy is the same for the entire field. When using precision farming, smart field maps, farm satellite imagery and compiled yield maps, the global goal is to optimize costs and conserve resources. In other words, increasing methods for sustainable agriculture. Precision farming is based on observation, calculation, and tracking of changes in crops, soil, and other factors with the help of modern tech, be it drones, satellite maps, or ground sensors the data from which can be instantly analyzed by AI algorithms via different software.
Manufacturing and Mining
By its very nature, the mining industry is dependent on geological and positional data, becoming perhaps the most spatially aware of all industries and a prime target for geospatial technologies. The development of geographic information systems (GIS) is widely reflected in the entire industry, and the main advantage of these systems is to increase the value of the discoveries made.
The ability of GIS to collect, correlate, store and access complex datasets, coupled with the growth of geospatial mapping capabilities and advanced software, can grow into a modern multi-layered image transmission system that works quickly and with amazing accuracy. The use of GIS in conjunction with satellite imagery is becoming a key moment in predicting the mineral potential of remote and hard-to-reach deposits, which the mining market is increasingly turning its eyes to. Satellites are able to help detect hidden topographic features that are inaccessible to the human eye.
Green Building
The most relevant topic in modern construction is houses that are fully self-sufficient in energy. To ensure this, they actively use solar energy and create entire solar power plants in individual households that can provide a person with the necessary amount of electricity.
Eco-building is not only about the use of alternative energy sources. This is an integrated approach, which consists of the correct planning of houses, allowing for the rational use of natural resources, as well as the selection of non-toxic materials and a safe construction process for humans and the environment.
Three main criteria for green building are:
- Use of alternative energy sources
- Environmental friendliness of materials (biodegradability, reusability)
- Landscaping of adjacent territories.
Green Vehicles
It is transport that is called one of the main causes of environmental pollution. Therefore, the creation of alternative vehicles with minimal impact on the environment is a priority for modern scientists. Eco transport, sustainable transport, green vehicles, they all mean the same thing – transport that has a minimal impact on the environment and climate change. Ideally, such transport promotes social justice and social connections (this is, for example, the advantage of public transport over private cars) and uses energy from renewable sources (rather than oil, which will sooner or later run out).