Can technology reverse the damage of our eating habits on the environment?

Image from pixabay.com

Industrial action is increasing all around the world, and that is doing no good for the environment. Although it can be argued that this ensures our ever-growing population has all it needs to survive, it is also making our collective home – the earth – more inhabitable.

However, one of the major contributors to environmental degradation which many people seem to leave out of the conversation is our diet. Until we start eating cleaner – by proactively being conscious of where what we are eating comes from – we might be an extra addition to the problem, rather than a conduit to the solution.

Eating Habits vs The Environment

What do our eating habits have to do with the quality of aquatic life? Is it not a little farfetched that anyone would suggest that the food on our plate might be causing the next ripple effect which would lead to even more melting of the polar ice caps?

As much as we would love to answer in the negative to the above, we cannot.

A good place to start is with livestock farming. It is no news that the world is largely meat-eating, and that is not going anywhere anytime soon. Considering the 315 million tonnes of meat that the world consumes yearly, it is more surprising that we crave something which supplies not so much of our body’s needed nutrients.

Not only does a meat-based diet supply less than 20% of our daily calorific content, but livestock farming takes up more than 83% of all farming lands. This leaves just 13% to the plants which we do need. 

The problem here is that the world’s population keeps growing at a rate faster than we are willing to accept. That means even more land will be allocated to plant agriculture soon.

In return, there is bound to be increased deforestation to support planting and animal grazing/ ranching. All that, and we have not even mentioned the obscene amount of greenhouse gases which livestock farming contributes to the atmosphere.

Leaving land for water, illegal fishing is one of the biggest problems in the world right now. Overfishing is disrupting the aquatic lifestyle – and if there is anything we know about the ecosystem; it is that an imbalance in one part is an imbalance to all. 

Besides, overfishing is a clear cause for concern – seeing as the Pacific Ocean now contains a majority of debris that is fishing gear alone.

Whenever you look at that piece of meat on your plate, do you ever wonder where it came from? If you don’t, you might be indirectly supporting the poachers who are continually threatening the existence of some of the species we have around today.

Support from Technology

Ours is a highly digital and technologically-advanced age, so it is just normal that we deploy all those resources to fighting the environmental damage from the way we eat too.

One of the most laudable applications of technology is in the development of vegan meat.

Made from totally plant-based materials, the vegan meat is cultured in such a way that it mimics actual meat. Down to the aroma, taste, and nutrients, even the biggest meat aficionados will be fooled. That way, we can cut back on illegal hunting of animals, and over-dedication of resources to livestock farming.

In the same vein, scientists have started tracking endangered species with connected devices attached to these animals. The sensors on those devices track the health, diet, and status of the animal so much that they can always be remotely monitored and given the best quality of life. 

Similar sensors are being attached to trees in conservation areas to help keep poachers away. Designed to listen for poaching movements – from the sounds of chainsaws to felling of trees – these sensors can be a serious lifesaver. All sensors are connected to the internet to establish a real-time feedback mechanism such that immediate action can be taken once things go off track. These digital aids can all belong to the family of Internet of Things(IoT) devices.

Things are a little tricky when it comes to IoT devices - it’s not enough to merely install it and flip the switch to set things in proper motion. IoT devices come in different operating systems and configurations, and most are not built with security in mind, meaning that they contain lots of security holes - from the software to the network. If you’re planning on sprinkling your tech-infused fish tank or garden with sensors, make sure you secure the devices and your home network. 

Conclusion

Let’s face it: if we don’t take care of our environment, there will come a time when it stops taking care of us, too. We won’t get there in one day, but these moves are evidence of a better eating culture which will secure the longevity of our environment’s health.
*** THANK YOU FOR THE GUEST BLOG, CHRIS JONES @VPN. ***