Technological Fix 3. What is the role of technology in the management of the contested planet ? a) The impacts of intermediate / appropriate technology with hi-tech megaprojects b) Role of technology in global issues c) Chances of technology contributing to a more environmentally sustainable future d) The technological future – convergence or divergence? Learning Objectives: Understand the future may see a continuing divergence between the technologically advanced core and the technologically impoverished periphery

Starter - What is the way forward with technology?

Technological Convergence The spread of the motor vehicle is an example of this as it started in the 1870s and now 120 years later there are around 700 million vehicles worldwide. Launch of the Tato Nano shows how keen developing nations are to get mobile Energy efficiency Automotive X-Prize 2007 – global competition to find a 100 mpg four passenger car ($7.5 million prize) Loremo car (selling at $15000) will help reduce the environmental impact of the car Electric, hydrogen and bio fuel cars could be the solutions to the future

Technological Divergence 2007 report stated that the world has become increasingly unequal since 1980 Technology was seen to have contributed to this mostly by increasing inequality and technological divergence Education was seen as key to ensuring people in least developed countries could benefit from new technologies. To prevent the technological gap widening further high technological transfer was needed

Technological Transfer What does this graph suggest? Will it lead to a future of convergence or divergence? Measures the developed world’s willingness to allow technology transfer

Summary The widening development gap is caused partly by different levels of access to technology Technology has a role in narrowing the development gap and addressing key global concerns The technologies need to be environmentally sustainable and equally available to all

Plenary – Technology Debate Strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree Increasing technology is the only way to improve the development of poorer nations Technology in poorer nations should be developed despite the environmental costs Technology is the main cause of our environmental issues and therefore should not be used to solve them Technology can never be truly sustainable Only technology can save the planet from total devastation Unforeseen consequences of technology means that it should not be used to solve our environmental problems

Homework – Review questions Using examples, explain the meaning of the terms ‘technological fix’ and ‘access to technology’ Evaluate the reasons for the unequal spatial distribution of technology Examine the relationship between technology and development ‘Technology can have unforeseen consequences’. Discuss, with references to examples Explain how both technological and attitudinal fixes might contribute to solving global environmental concerns How do you see the technological future? Will it be one of convergence or divergence? Give your reasons