When I was researched the prompt, I learned that my major (Software development) does serve as both a benefit and hindrance to climate change. When I researched climate change, I discovered major factors such as emission of greenhouse gases and lack of recycling to be the root of this problem. Despite the creation of software that runs power plants, the emission of greenhouse gases are not directly released from the software created in power plants. In my opinion, the sum of the parts has contributed to the effects of climate change on our planet.
As CO2 emissions have gradually increased, society must brainstorm ways to reverse the effects of climate change. Most researchers need some software development and equipment to solve these problems which is why my major serves importance. Since my major is in the S.T.E.M field, software developers create tools or software to determine the rate of change or preventatives to inform and curve change. In the article Renewable Energy Technologies: Panacea for World Energy Security and Climate Change?, humans use nonrenewable sources of energy such as coal and fossil fuel as a major power source. Additionally, the usage of fossil fuel can result in coral bleaching from increased CO2 levels in the ocean as well as raising the atmospheric temperature of the Earth. Personally, I believe we need to look at alternative sources of power, however, we shouldn’t fully eliminate fossil fuels as an energy source. I understand that it is difficult to transition to different energy sources similar to a person changing their daily habits, but it is necessary to preserve our planet.
Big tech companies and distributors can develop habits whether through R&D, or leaving waste that pollutes the Earth and has a major long- term effect. However, companies such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart are making strides in keeping emission levels low and progressing with waste management from inventory and recycling from customers. In 2020, Best Buy’s ESG report discovered that there was 61% less carbon dioxide emission in their store. Their targeted goal was to have 75% less carbon dioxide emission by 2030 which makes them ahead of their goal. Additionally, in the same report, water scarcity was recognized which made Best Buy want to reduce the water use by 31% compared to 2019. However, there are other factors that have been recognized as the cause of water scarcity at Best Buy such as the recent Covid-19 pandemic. The final big company distributor I looked at was Walmart. According to Walmart’s ESG report, their data shows that they are slowly reaching their goal of zero carbon dioxide emission.
In conclusion, if you help S.T.E.M majors in any form, you will leave an impact on the environment. We need to look for alternative fuel sources that can sustain nations and leave little impact on our environment. I believe that the major tech companies have been truthful to their goals and have been making strides in beating or completing the goal.
