Is technology the best asnwer for environmental destruction?

Technology is not the best way to mitigate environmental destruction as it is often a costly venture and there is no assured outcome of success as compared to its alternatives. Research and Development (R&D) is relatively time-consuming and do not always produce constructive results, especially in the short run. Even if billions of dollars were invested into R&D in search of alternatives to fossil fuels that are less harmful to the environment, there is no guarantee that such a technology will be developed. In comparison, a concerted and coordinated effort to cut down on the consumption of the Earth’s resources such as the excessive use of electrical appliances will be a much more efficient and clear-cut method which is also easier to implement. Thus, technology is not the best answer to environmental destruction, especially in the short run.

Ewen Chong, Goh Shi Hua, Edith Ong, Toh Hong Xiu
09S07A