Implications of wider issue

Circular Economy

Circular Economy

Focuses on designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems through technologies like improved recycling processes and biodegradable materials.

Lifestyle

Technologies such as smart home devices and wearable tech have transformed how people live, offering convenience and connectivity.

Culture

Emerging technologies influence cultural practices, such as social media platforms reshaping communication and cultural expression.

Society

Broad impacts on society include improved access to information, enhanced communication, and new forms of entertainment, but also concerns about privacy, job displacement due to automation, and digital divides.

Environmental Impact

Technologies can either harm or help the environment, with industrial technologies contributing to pollution and green technologies like renewable energy sources reducing environmental footprints.

Sustainable Development

Technologies supporting renewable resources, energy efficiency, and waste reduction are crucial, including innovations in electric vehicles, green building materials, and sustainable agriculture.

Resource Management

Sustainable technologies include those that manage resources more efficiently, such as precision agriculture, which uses data to optimize crop yields while minimizing resource use.

Generation

Designers consider various methods of generating electricity, including traditional (coal, natural gas) and renewable (solar, wind, hydroelectric) methods.

Storage

Technologies for storing energy include batteries (lithium-ion, solid-state), capacitors, and innovative methods like pumped hydro storage or compressed air storage.

Transfer

Efficient energy transfer systems are crucial, such as smart grids, which optimize the distribution of electricity and reduce losses.

Fossil Fuels

Traditionally used for their high energy density, but they are non-renewable and produce greenhouse gasses.

Nuclear Fuel

Offers a high energy output with low greenhouse gas emissions, but concerns include radioactive waste and high initial costs.

Biofuel

Renewable fuels made from biological materials that can reduce carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels.

Wind

Harnesses wind energy to generate electricity; suitable for areas with consistent wind patterns.

Hydro-electricity

Uses flowing water to generate electricity; highly efficient and renewable, but can impact aquatic ecosystems.

Tidal

Captures energy from tidal movements; predictable and renewable but geographically limited to coastal regions.

Solar

Converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells; widely applicable and scalable, though dependent on sunlight availability.

Fair Trade

Involves ethical sourcing to ensure fair wages and working conditions for laborers, often verified through certifications.

Inclusivity

Designing products accessible to a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities, to promote social and ethical awareness.

Sustainable Goals

Aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address global challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, and peace through global sustainable development practices.