And Technology

Since I retired some time ago from a career in r&d, I have had time to reflect on the role technology has to play in the ongoing disruption of life as we know it, which was foreseen by L to G.

The World 3 model covered the period 1900 to 2100 and showed that now, the 2020s, we would be close to the maximum rate of change for most of the parameters. This is very evident in the current climate change crisis. It is also evident in the growing awareness of pollution and, in manufacturing, shortages of materials.

There is probably little more to learn from this model and no point in regretting lost opportunities. We need to make the best of starting from where we are now. Modelling techniques are now more sophisticated and far more data is available.

I get the impression from “Limits and beyond” the 50 years on report to the Club of Rome that they are a bit sniffy about technologists, with some justification. As a tribe we can be a bit parochial and focussed on our particular speciality.  There will always be those amongst us who believe that business as usual is possible, given the right technological fix.

This is a pity. Getting the right technology is essential just to avoid the worst outcome, even though it is not going to allow us to carry on with life as we know it.

Where do we go from here?

Generally overlooked is the timescale of technology development. Starting with an idea and taking it through research, development, manufacture to volume production usually takes several decades.

There must be many technologies out there with various degrees and types of potential, but how so spot the winners?

Dialogue has to be the answer to identify candidate technologies and to consider their potential and pitfalls.

So, for example, I would put forward the Mg/Al-air primary battery for powering ships and trains, and the mass sequestering of carbon by burying carbonised organic matter (chemically elemental graphite, which is inert and can be buried safely, as demonstrated by geology).