Green Enough?

I have to agree with my fellow bloggers that technology has the potential to help us, but I don’t think it alone will save us. Those who think that technology will pull us out of the mess subscribe to the belief that innovation will become more environmentally friendly and even reverse the environmental degradation. It’s easy to get behind green innovations like hybrid cars and alternative forms of energy. In these solutions we see a chance to alter our lifestyles a little, but continue to live mostly as we are used to doing. Priuses (or Prii), for example, are often touted as an example of green technology. And while these hybrid cars are certainly impressive, the parts are shipped from all over to manufacture the cars and the batteries used are harmful. Advertising this technology as the solution to our environmental problems is just irresponsible. Fully putting our faith in these technologies without considering the other effects is misdirected. I think this demonstrates the larger point that, while technology can help, it can also be unintentionally harmful. It is important to consider all of the effects of “green” technology and make these effects widely known so that informed decisions can be made.