Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 9

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define sustainability in the context of technology.
• Analyze the environmental impacts of a specific technology.
• Evaluate the social implications of technological advancements.
• Explain the concept of a circular economy.
• Identify solutions for mitigating technology's negative impacts.

Lesson summary

This week, we delve into the crucial relationship between technology, society, and the environment. This is a topic of immense importance, especially in South Africa, where we face unique challenges related to resource management, energy provision, and sustainable development. Understanding this interplay is crucial for responsible citizenship and contributing to a future where technology benefits everyone without harming our planet. The choices we make about technology today will determine the kind of South Africa and world we leave for future generations.

Lesson notes

Sustainability: Sustainability refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the context of technology, this means designing, developing, and using technologies in a way that minimizes environmental damage, conserves resources, and promotes social equity. This includes the entire lifecycle of a technology, from resource extraction and manufacturing to use and disposal. Think about the cell phone you use every day. Is its production sustainable? What happens to it when you no longer need it?

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): An EIA is a process used to identify the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project or development. In South Africa, EIAs are required for many technological projects, particularly those that could significantly affect the environment. This process helps decision-makers to understand the potential risks and benefits of a project and to develop strategies to mitigate any negative impacts. EIAs are guided by environmental legislation and regulations in South Africa.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Similar to an EIA, LCA assesses the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle. This includes raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. LCAs are used to identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce environmental impacts. For instance, an LCA of a solar panel would consider the energy used to manufacture the panel, the materials used, the transportation of the panel, its performance over its lifespan, and the environmental impact of its disposal or recycling.

Circular Economy: A circular economy is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. Unlike the traditional linear economy (take, make, dispose), a circular economy aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life. This is particularly relevant to technology, given the rapid rate of obsolescence and the large amounts of e-waste generated. Think of a company that takes old computer components and refurbishes them to sell as refurbished computers. This is an example of a circular economy in action.

E-waste: Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices. E-waste contains hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can contaminate the environment and pose risks to human health if not properly managed. South Africa faces a growing e-waste problem due to the increasing consumption of electronic devices. Informal e-waste recycling practices, which often involve burning or dismantling equipment without proper safety measures, can release these hazardous materials into the environment and expose workers to dangerous toxins. Formal e-waste recycling infrastructure is still developing in many areas of South Africa, creating challenges for responsible e-waste management.

Social Implications of Technology: Technology can have both positive and negative social implications. Positive implications include improved communication, access to information, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Negative implications include job displacement, social isolation, privacy concerns, and the digital divide (the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not). In South Africa, addressing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to technology is crucial for promoting social justice and economic development. Consider the impact of automation on jobs in the mining or manufacturing sectors in South Africa. While technology can increase efficiency, it can also lead to job losses, requiring investment in retraining and skills development for affected workers.

Worked example

Example 1: Cell Phone Sustainability: Consider the life cycle of a cell phone. Where do the raw materials (lithium, cobalt, gold) come from? What are the environmental and social impacts of mining these materials (consider child labor issues in some mines)? How much energy is used to manufacture the phone? How long do people typically use a cell phone before replacing it? What happens to the old phone? This analysis helps us understand the challenges of cell phone sustainability. Solutions could include using recycled materials, designing phones that are easier to repair and upgrade, and implementing effective e-waste recycling programs.

Example 2: Coal-Fired Power Plants vs.

Renewable Energy: South Africa relies heavily on coal-fired power plants for electricity generation. This has significant environmental impacts, including air pollution (contributing to respiratory illnesses) and greenhouse gas emissions (contributing to climate change). Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power offer cleaner alternatives.

However, they also have their own environmental impacts (e.g., land use for solar farms, noise pollution from wind turbines). A cost-benefit analysis should consider both the environmental and economic factors associated with each option, including the long-term costs of climate change.

Example 3: The Digital Divide: Many rural communities in South Africa lack access to reliable internet connectivity. This limits their access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Providing affordable internet access through initiatives like community Wi-Fi hotspots can help bridge the digital divide.

However, it is also important to ensure that people have the skills and training to use the internet effectively.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1:

Define e-waste and explain why it is a significant environmental problem in South Africa.

Solution:

E-waste is discarded electrical or electronic devices. It's a significant problem in South Africa because these devices contain hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium. Improper disposal leads to soil and water contamination, posing risks to human health and the environment. South Africa's growing consumption of electronics and limited formal e-waste recycling infrastructure exacerbate the issue.

Question 2:

Give two examples of how technology can contribute to solving environmental problems.