According Global Footprint Network, human beings consumed in the first eight months of 2020 a year’s worth of resources explaining the fact that if we continue to satisfy ourselves at the same speed we will need 1.7 earths every year. We might want to blame this on Covid 19 but unfortunately this has been happening even before Corona hit the ground in 2019. The second ironical fact is that the food is becoming cheaper or as it appears to be the case looking at the price list of fast-food shops. How is that possible? Perhaps, yes the environmental and social cost is not included in meal deal.
How is technology after all linked with the sustainability. In two ways, at least. First as a perpetrator damaging the environment, from phone charging to flying aeroplanes to mining Bitcoin. Second, as the protector of the environment. Let’s not talk about the first. According to The World Economic Forum, blockchain technology together with satellite data can revolutionise the monitoring and surveillance of different assets of our planet. How good is that!
We have now moved beyond the Internet enabled second industrial revolution to the artificial intelligence enabled third industrial revolution. Automation. Through AI and other advanced technologies such as drones and IoTs, we can better monitor our planet and environment and plan ahead so that we do not run out of resources before next generation sets its foot on the ground. We can find efficient ways of doing things replacing clumsy industrial carbon footprint intensive processes with lighter, greener and environment friendly operations. We must find sustainable ways of food production and food consumption. Or else…?
