Science and Technology for a sustainable future

TBB BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 11, 2021

National Technology Day 2021 on May 11 celebrates the achievements and contributions of Indians to science and technology. This day serves as a reminder of India breaking into the elite group of nations with nuclear weapons.

On May 11, 1998, India conducted three successful nuclear tests at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan under Operation Shakti. Two more nuclear tests were conducted on May 13. The tests were led by late President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

Based on these immense breakthrough achievements by the engineers, scientists and technicians of the country, the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced May 11 as National Technology Day in 1999. The day also serves as a reminder for people to keep innovating and understanding the importance of technological development.

The Technology Development Board ever since has been honouring scientists and engineers and their technological innovations that have added to the growth of India on this day. The board announces a theme every year. The theme of the National Technology Day 2021 is “Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future”.

Technology plays a crucial role in sustainable development. Whether it is social, economic or environmental, the role of technology to meet the goals of sustainable development can’t be denied. There is a great reluctance among governments and others to make political and social changes that are necessary to reduce the growth in production and consumption. This is where the reliance on science and technology come into play. Most of the countries are now using science and technology to find the answers towards achieving a sustainable future and to solve the environmental problems that they are facing.

Countries around the world are building models of sustainable growth based on the assumption that technology can help them create new or alternate sources to the resources that are depleting. The other idea is that science can help us find ways to reuse the remaining resources in an efficient way.

With the resources steadily depleting, the importance of science being able to find a solution has become even more necessary now.

So, it is essential to understand the role that science plays in the development of a sustainable future. The need for thorough research into the scope of science in building a sustainable future has become steadily important now.

There has been the emergence of many application programs that are directed at finding the role of science in sustainability. This is related to the finding of alternative and renewable energy sources in order to reduce pollution. It also helps to avoid depleting the already scarce resources.

Science and technology can be used to develop sustainable fisheries and agriculture. By limiting the use of hormones, pesticides and antibiotics products can be created that are safe for consumption. This also helps in preventing the natural resources available in the world.

Research is the key to finding the ways to harness science and technology to fulfil the need for sustainable development.

Creating knowledge and understanding through science equips us to find solutions to today’s acute economic, social and environmental challenges and to achieving sustainable development and greener societies.

Linking science to society, public understanding of science and the participation of citizens in science are essential to creating societies where people have the necessary knowledge to make professional, personal and political choices, and to participate in the stimulating world of discovery.

Scientific knowledge of the Earth’s history and mineral resources, knowledge of ecosystems and biodiversity, and the interaction of humans with ecosystems are important to help us understand how to manage our planet for a peaceful and sustainable future.