Can Technology Fix World Problems?

1. Health: Pandemics stress health systems. Technology helps early detection of disease outbreaks. Telemedicine, remote monitors, wearables and telehealth are used in remote areas.
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   Vaccines can now be developed quickly, such as Covid’s Pfizer and Moderna’s mRNA types using genomics. The latest now covers future variants. Development of vaccines used to take decades –  see previous blog.
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2. Food Security: Numbers are decreasing but millions of people still suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Precision farming, crop monitoring and genetic engineering help. Automated farming and smart irrigation systems increase crop yields. Better food processing and preservation reduce food waste and improve distribution systems.
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   Vertical farming speeds growth, uses a fraction of the water and is close to markets. While pricey, new systems are reducing costs. It is booming – see previous blog
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3. Poverty: Free online education is key – see previous blog. Mobile payments, blockchain and digital payments replace accounts for people with no access to banks. Starlink’s remote area satellite internet creates easy access anywhere. Social media, online platforms and chatbots create more awareness of fixes and methods.
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4. Climate Change: A global issue that needs urgent attention and there are huge monetary incentives for entrepreneurs. The tipping points are a major concern, with probable rising sea level costs far outweighing prevention. Low cost carbon capture is needed to reduce the excess already in the atmosphere. A one minute to midnight problem – see previous blog.
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5. Environmental Degradation:  Remote sensing, drones, and data analytics are used. Satellites track deforestation and illegal logging, while smart sensors and IoT (Internet of Things) monitor pollution to enable waste management. Removing plastics from oceans is ongoing and building fast.
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6. Human Rights: Discrimination, oppression and censorship occur in many parts of the world.  Technology empowers marginalized communities, providing platforms for free speech, privacy protection and information.
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   Social media and online activism raise awareness, mobilising support for human rights. Blockchain technology provides transparent secure documentation and verifies human rights violations.
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7. Water Availability: Water scarcity is getting worse because of climate change and extended droughts. New lower cost methods extract moisture from the air. Prices start at $10 depending on capacity.  IoT senses water quality and can help with rainwater collection and water recycling.
   .                             A Simple Atmospheric Water Generator  (AWG) for Plant Growth                                        
8. Crime and Scams: Crime will always be with us, but the use of scanning, monitors, face recognition, etc. is effective in helping authorities, police, etc. do their job. The popular ‘invasion of privacy’ argument is weak as honest citizens should have nothing to hide. Negating criminality is far more important.
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   Scams have increased dramatically, but the use of 2FA, authenticators, rolling codes, etc. goes a long way in preventing money loss. Spam education, sceptical wariness and vigilance are very important. It will be interesting if quantum computers markedly help in crime exposure and source identity.
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   Detect scams early by checking your bank accounts every day via your mobile phone. There are apps for ‘find my phone’. Put this on your and your partner’s or trusted friend’s phone in case you lose yours or they lose theirs.
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In summary, technology has the potential to help fix global problems but is not a panacea. Collaboration between governments and communities is needed.

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