Going Green With the Help of Technology

Technology seems to advance every day, which is a seminal achievement for society because we advance right beside it by using various technologies consistently as tools — and these tools helps society become more efficient, while also lessening the negative impacts on the environment.

Solar panels, wind turbines and laptops are amazing contributions to both technological advancement and environmental health. Empire High School uses both laptops and solar panels to reduce its carbon footprint. Instead of a massive paper trail, the students type and send things to teachers on their laptops. This allows teachers to grade online and never touch — or waste — a piece of paper in the process.

Organizations around the world have turned to computerized forms and activities as well. They have chosen Internet over trees as their main material source. For example, the MVD of Arizona offers the permit test on a computer  —  it no longer hands out books to study with. Instead, it offers a link to download, and the entire book is completely on the computer. Aside from being a great way to keep the trees intact, this also makes the study guide easier to access. Kids no longer have to visit the offices with their parents, because they can just take it right off the Internet. The switch is beneficial for everyone.

Though there are many schools and organizations that have made the change to technological sources, there are others who have not. The Vehicle Operating Standards Authority (VOSA) , for example, requires enough paperwork to drown in, according to M2PressWIRE, which also states that the VOSA goes through at least 10 million safety forms alone each year. This does not include all the other forms required for operations. Such an immense use of paper products is no doubt impacting the environment. Trees are being used up so quickly, without a second thought.

When the VOSA makes the change and starts to utilize technology, the amount of trees still standing tall will make a statement. When companies that still use multiple pieces of parchment for brochures, handouts and files see the benefits of newer technology, they will move forward as well. The technology surge will be used for all that it is worth by everyone.

Each person has the power to make a change. Even in a technological school like Empire, there is still more that students can do for their surroundings. They can enforce the no littering law, recycle and stand up against the destruction of natural lands. Even taking an interest in an endangered species brings them one step closer to making a change. Knowledge is power, and when kids are active in learning about and helping the environment, the rest of the world will follow suit.

Empire, the MVD, and other companies advancing their technology have a cogent idea, and it’s starting to make a change in the world. The idea of using laptops rather than packets of paper, or solar panels instead of fossil fuels is starting to catch on. People are beginning to recognize that it is up to them to care and to change for the sake of the Earth.

About the author: Taylor Rosenow is a sophomore at Empire High School.