Impact of Technology on Global Issues

Throughout history human beings have sought to make their lives easier and overcome
obstacles through making technological inventions. The 20th and 21st centuries, in particular,
have seen unprecedented technological advances affecting almost spheres of human life. From
medicine and environment to communication, there is no sphere of human life that has not been
touched by modern technological advances. Like other technogical advances of the past, the
impact of modern technology on global issues has been mixed. There are certainly positive
effects, but there are equally many negative effects of modern technology on various global
issues.

One of the fields where technology has had a largely positive effect is healthcare.
Whether it is biotechnology or development of medical devices, information technology or
pharmaceuticals, the positive impact of technology has been nothing short of revolutionary.
Thanks to this technology, it is now possible to have prosthetic limbs, artificial organs, robotic
surgeries, and many other beneficial advances (Kvedar et al. 195). These advances have led to
tremendous improvement in efficiency and effectiveness of medical care. The result has been not
only improvement of quality of life but also increasing of life expectancy in almost all of the
world’s countries.

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Another global issue where technology is having a positive impact is global warming.
This may come as a surprise to some because of general belief that technological advances are
ecologically disastrous. The reality, however, is that technological advances have greatly helped
environmental conservation efforts. For instance, thanks to technological advances, we have now
alternative energy sources such as solar and wind that release almost no pollutants to the
atmosphere and, therefore, reduce global warming. In addition, technology has led to
development of energy-efficient and less polluting vehicles such as electric vehicles. Given the
fact that 23% of global CO2 emissions come from transport industry, having such non-polluting
vehicles is certainly going to have a great positive environmental impact (Hulme 53). Another
important technological development that is having positive influence on environmental
conservation measures is development of mobile apps for the environment. For instance,
iSeeChange Tracker developed by NASA allows users to get real-time information on the impact
climate change is having on their immediate environment (Spence 35). Such innovations have
the potential of significantly helping in combating global warming and climate change.

Apart from healthcare and environment, technology has also had a positive impact on
food security. UN estimates that around 11% of world’s population is food insecure and,
therefore, suffers from chronic hunger (McCarthy et al. 24). Various technologies have been
developed to increase food security through increasing productivity, enhancing information
sharing, and even artificially producing food that has minimal negative health effects on humans.

Just like in previous historical periods modern technological advances also have negative
effects on global issues. For instance, while the internet has changed the way information is
shared or work is done, it has also spurred serious social vices. In particular, the dark web has led
to increased production and transmission of child pornography which has increased sexual

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exploitation of children (Winstock & Barrat 11). The dark web has also made organized crime
to thrive.

Technological advances may have some negative effects on various global issues but on
the whole their net effect is positive. With more money invested by governments, international
bodies, business organizations, and scientific institutions in research and development than any
other time in history, we are sure to witness far more impressive technogical advances in future.
For instance, there are likely to be cures for hitherto difficult diseases such as cancer, more
effective management of neurological degeneration, and increased use of robotic surgery. On
global warming and climate change, current drives to have cleaner energy and vehicles that
predominantly use clean energy are likely to have a slight positive effect on the environment in
the short term and a major positive impact in the long term.

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Works Cited

Hulme, Mike. Can science fix climate change?: A case against climate engineering. John Wiley
& Sons, 2014.
Kvedar, Joseph, Molly Joel Coye, and Wendy Everett. “Connected health: a review of
technologies and strategies to improve patient care with telemedicine and
telehealth.” Health Affairs 33.2 (2014): 194-199.
McCarthy, Ultan, Ismail Uysal, Ricardo Badia Melis, Samuel Mercier, Colm O. Donnell, and
Anastasia Ktenioudaki. “Global food security–Issues, challenges and technological
solutions.” Trends in Food Science & Technology (2018).
Spence, Chris. Global warming: Personal solutions for a healthy planet. St. Martin’s Press, 2014.
Winstock, A., and M. Barratt. “Dark web markets: the good, the bad & the ugly.” High
Times (2016).