How can IoT can help combat Climate Change

Written by Claudia Fernandez | 29-Dec-2021 12:00:00

Climate Change is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns. Often climate change refers specifically to the rise in global temperatures from the mid-20th century to present. This has been a big issue over the past years, where many individuals have tried increasing the awareness of the effects of climate change that cause global warming.

The Internet of Things can help reduce the effects of climate change, for instance, by impacting the industrial processes and human activity through sensors that can monitor a whole range of factors, these include perhaps the air and water quality and helping assess the pollution levels around factories, rivers and cities.

“The internet of things is the digital skin of our planet,” says Alex Gluhak, head of technology (IoT) at Digital Catapult. “By measuring the real state of the world through sensors, we become aware of existing issues and can track them over time as we use specific interventions to combat these issues.”

IoT can help in minimising the use of natural resources (electricity, fossil fuels and water) which can aid to reduce production waste - playing a key role in tracking the material flow in emerging economies.

Susanne Baker, associate director climate, environment and sustainability, at tech UK, says: “IoT is increasingly recognised as an essential element in our transition to a net-zero economy.”

A great example of this would be in farming, in order to minimise the use of water, fertiliser and pesticides. The IoT technology would monitor the soil minerals and other details in order to help improve the cultivation and use the right amount of resources (minimising the overuse of resources and the use of land). In conclusion, it can improve the management of farm resources.

African countries such as Ghana, Niger, Rwanda and South Africa, among others, have seen a steady rise in successful IoT implementation meant to improve key areas of sustainable development—water monitoring being one of the most popular sectors.

It is important to implement IoT within our daily lives in order to reduce many important problems around the globe. However, doesn’t it seem too good to be true?

Tech UK’s Baker has explored one of the most important disadvantages: “Any technology that supports efficiency and productivity improvements could in turn potentially drive higher levels of production and consumption and it is important therefore that these risks are properly understood in the context of our national and sector planning to move to a post-fossil-fuel society.’’

It is important to note, that every solution might have a negative impact, however when compared to the advantages and the possible innovation for a better solution in the future, it quite clearly surpasses the disadvantages. In order to find a better solution that could be even more beneficial, it is crucial to implement the best solution so far and keep innovating.

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