Tech will save Earth, not activism

NASA came out with a concept to make food out of thin air called Solein. The process captures CO2 from the atmosphere and converts it into protein. Finnish company Solar Foods wants to put that on your plate in some form. Elsewhere scientists are working on an “artificial photosynthesis” to convert CO2 into methane, a component of natural gas. There are companies making giant scrubbers to suck CO2 out of the air and convert it into an artificial hydrocarbon fuel. China has come out with giant anti-smog and air purifying towers to tackle air pollution. Delhi recently got a smaller version of that at Lajpat Nagar.

Something that could replace fossil fuels is nuclear energy. Unlike many other proposed and hypothetical alternatives, nuclear is actually already here and in abundance. Of course for some curious reason, environmentalists hate the N-word. Generally people are also apprehensive about it thanks to big disasters like Three Mile Island (1979), Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011).

But even nuclear technology has moved forward. Currently scientists are proposing the use of Generation IV nuclear reactors that are safer and more efficient despite being cheaper. In fact there is one model that consumes nuclear waste, making it a closed cycle and hence can be classified as renewable energy. One of the backers of this tech is Silicon Valley billionaire Bill Gates, who launched TerraPower for just that way back in 2006.

Talking about drinking water shortage, we now have the technology to suck the humidity out of the air and convert it into water on a large scale. We had even featured a Wienerberger plant in our last issue where waste can be used to make lightweight and more efficient bricks which can be joined together with Dryfix. This can do away with cement altogether. In the Delhi pollution problem, construction dust plays a huge role.

We can totally change the way we plan and build cities to drastically bring down pollution. Smart cities and IoT (Internet of Things) devices will go a long way in monitoring all our processes and making them more efficient and streamlined in every way. Many public utilities are already benefiting from this. If 5G comes, then that can also revolutionize smart buildings. The possibilities are endless.

Changing your DP-status and taking to the streets to talk about issues which are known by all is counter-productive. Who doesn’t know that pollution is bad? Who doesn’t know that afforestation is bad? We all know it, but it is only the scientists who will bring about a lasting change. Technology, not environmental activism, will save the planet.