Technology for Sustainability

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has influenced greatly the efforts to make the lives of many communities more sustainable. A few videos from their website are good examples of how advanced research and such technology assisted in the progress of sustainability. 

First, EPA provided innovative assistance to the Fond du Lac band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribal College to increase recycling rates and help expand their solar capacity. They used solar panels on the roof of the building facing south and created recycle bins using the tribe’s language to increase the amounts of recycled items while unifying their culture. The use of this technology supports sustainability and is very appropriated. The additions to the building produce an additional megawatt of clean energy, serving as a source of heating during the winter, and the recycle bins reduce the amount of waste generated. I would personally invest in these types of the technology described in the video, because harvesting clean energy and increasing the amount of recycling not only reduces the amount of waste, it also addresses their culture, customs, and buildings to speak to their innate concern for Mother Earth.

Second, EPA assisted in guiding The Farmer’s Irrigation District to change existing open ditch irrigation systems, which were not reliable. Agricultural runoff was causing water quality issues, and the system was wasting water resources. To help solve these issues, they used loans to pipe and pressurize the irrigation system and installed in-pipe hydroelectric generators. The enhanced system provides reliable irrigators to access water; a range of water-saving irrigation options; and reduced labor costs to conserve six billion gallons of water annually. I would also invest in this type of technology because water quality is important for growing food and because the water was being wasted.  

Third, EPA was the lead agency in the cleanup and restoration of a site in Milltown, Montana. To accomplish the task of dam removal and river restoration they used excavators with the intent to craft a future vision of the area site, officially known as the Milltown Reservoir Sediments Operable Unit. The community wanted to “transform this hazardous waste site into a publicly held State Park, restore the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers, and create a regional recreational and ecological resource for current and future generations.” By remediation, restoration, and redevelopment technologies they were able to successfully promote sustainability. I would also personally invest in the type of technology because it clearly helped the environment to heal while providing a better place for its community.

Yet, we must recognize that true sustainability may be unobtainable as modern human habits and needs are unlikely to completely change. As we see in modern technology, further advancements allow mankind to mediate both sustainable and unsustainable practices. However, communities across the nation are already embracing sustainable ways to live life, by choosing clean sources of energy, like solar panels and windmills. Right here in Wisconsin, over 76,000 of our neighbors are employed in the clean energy industry. From energy to overflowing landfills, human ingenuity has the capability to address the real challenges we face.

One good example at home where technology is making a difference in the level of sustainability is my dishwasher and my washing machine. Because there are both high-efficiency technologies, it uses less water and energy to wash my dishes and do laundry than using other methods. At my work we recycle cartoon milks, reducing the amount of waste generated, and supporting sustainability. At my community, we have carwash companies, who use less water to wash my car than I would’ve use by washing by hand.

While it is true that the United States Environmental Protection Agency has influenced greatly in the efforts to make the lives of many communities more sustainable and that technology can definitely help us to become more sustainable, to reach true sustainability it is going to take more than just a simple machine: society will need to change their way of thinking/living.

Works Cited:

Clean Jobs Midwest. “Wisconsin: Home to 76,000 Clean Energy Jobs.” Executive Summary, Clean Jobs Midwest, Apr. 2019, www.cleanjobsmidwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Wisconsin_CJM-Exec-Summary-FINAL.pdf.

Fletcher, Scarlett. “4 Ways Technology Helps with Recycling.” Demilked, Demilked, 15 July 2016, www.demilked.com/4-ways-technology-helps-with-recycling/.

Environmental Protection Agency. “Sustainability in Action Video Series.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 25 Apr. 2017, www.epa.gov/sustainability/sustainability-action-video-series.