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08_Jan_DD_Dark Side of Green Tech

Green Tech’s Grey Reality: The Environmental Impact We Overlook 

Green technology promises a sustainable, brighter future. Solar panels, electric vehicles (EVs), and wind turbines are celebrated as heroes in the fight against climate change. But as we rush to embrace this green revolution, a stark reality emerges in our attempt to paint the world green: in our attempt to paint the world green, the tech industry is inadvertently creating shades of grey. Behind the glossy facade of sustainability lies a trail of environmental and human costs that cannot be ignored.  

As environmentalist Greta Thunberg famously said, “You cannot solve a crisis without treating it as a crisis.” It’s time we confront the hidden truths behind green tech and ask: are we genuinely building a better future?  

E-Waste: The silent giant  

The amount of waste that green technology produces is one of its greatest ironies. For instance, solar panels. Even though their 25–30-year longevity seems remarkable, early installations are now reaching the end of their useful lifespans. Approximately 78 million tonnes of waste from solar panels could be produced worldwide each year. Less than 10% of these are recycled, and most wind up in landfills where hazardous substances like lead and cadmium contaminate the land and water.  It goes beyond solar panels. 

EV batteries provide a waste challenge despite being promoted as a clean substitute for petrol and diesel. The battery of a Tesla Model S weighs over 500 kilograms and is filled with materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. These are valuable but hard to recycle, and without scalable recycling infrastructure, their environmental footprint grows larger yearly.  

The dark side of manufacturing  

Although solar panels and EVs make news, the more significant tech sector is far from innocent. Smartphones, laptops, and other consumer electronics are also part of this grey story. Devices from tech giants like Apple, Samsung, and Google depend on materials like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth metals. These elements are essential for batteries, chips, and screens, but their extraction leaves deep scars on the planet.  

For instance, cobalt mining—a cornerstone of smartphone and EV production—often occurs under appalling conditions. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt, much of it through small-scale mines where workers, including children, face dangerous conditions for as little as £1.60 a day.  

Another cornerstone of green and tech manufacturing, lithium mining, has a disastrous impact on regional ecosystems. Lithium production uses 65% of the water in Chile’s Salar de Atacama, putting both agriculture and wildlife at risk. Similar problems occur in rare earth mining when air pollution and toxic waste are produced during processing.  

The reduced carbon footprint of going green  

Ironically, the production of green technology is anything but environmentally friendly. Coal is the primary energy source in China, producing most solar panels.  The carbon footprint of a solar panel manufactured in China and used in Europe is thought to be roughly double that of a solar panel made locally and utilised in Europe.   

The story of electric car manufacturers is similar. For instance, producing a Tesla Model 3 uses 65% more CO2 than producing a Toyota Corolla that runs on petrol. This is mainly because the production of batteries requires a lot of energy. Even smartphones are a significant source of emissions: manufacturing one iPhone generates about 77 kilogrammes of CO2, which is increased by the billions of gadgets made annually.  

Green energy isn’t always kind to nature. Wind turbines, for instance, are notorious for harming birds and bats. Large-scale renewable projects also encroach on natural habitats, disrupting ecosystems. While these issues are often downplayed, they raise important questions about the actual cost of green solutions.  

The geopolitical risks of rare materials  

The resources required for consumer electronics and green technology are limited, and their supply chains are fragile. Over 60% of the world’s rare earth production is controlled by China, posing serious geopolitical threats. A diplomatic dispute 2010 caused China to temporarily halt supplies to Japan, underscoring that resource dependence may lead to international problems.  

In the meantime, there is a massive demand for resources like lithium. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the demand for lithium may quadruple by 2040, placing tremendous strain on the world’s supply.  

Recycling: A missed opportunity  

Recycling in the tech industry remains badly underdeveloped despite its promise. According to the World Health Organisation, less than 20% of e-waste is effectively recycled worldwide, with the remainder discarded in landfills or exported to underdeveloped nations, where it is frequently handled unsafely. Companies like Redwood Materials and First Solar are pioneering recycling solutions, but these efforts are still a drop in the ocean.  

Turning grey back to green  

What can we do to ensure green tech lives up to its promises?    

1. Invest in recycling: It is critical to increase battery, panel, and electronic recycling initiatives. For example, companies such as Fairphone are creating recyclable and repairable gadgets.  

2. Ethical sourcing: Supporting initiatives like the Fair Cobalt Alliance can improve conditions in mining communities and eliminate exploitative practices.  

3. Innovate for sustainability: Research into solid-state batteries and organic solar panels could revolutionise green technology.  

4. Transparent supply chains: Tracking materials with blockchain technology could ensure ethical sourcing and reduce environmental impact.  

5. Educate customers: Awareness campaigns can encourage people to recycle their devices responsibly and choose more sustainable products.  

Distilled  

Green technology can significantly lower our carbon footprint and fight climate change. However, the hidden costs, such as environmental harm, human exploitation, and geopolitical concerns, must be addressed if we are to fulfil its promise. As Greta reminds us, treating this as a crisis means holding companies and ourselves accountable for our choices.  

The future does not have to be grey. Green tech may shine as brilliantly as it promises if we invest in recycling, encourage moral behaviour, and demand better solutions.  

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Meera Nair

Drawing from her diverse experience in journalism, media marketing, and digital advertising, Meera is proficient in crafting engaging tech narratives. As a trusted voice in the tech landscape and a published author, she shares insightful perspectives on the latest IT trends and workplace dynamics in Digital Digest.