McCully presents two contrasting views on technology’s presence in chapters 6 and 7. In chapter 7, she criticizes “European’s invasive technology (that) changed the face of land” (103). Putting aside the word invasive negative connotation, technology has the potential to change the land…for good or bad and unfortunately in this case for bad, as technology welcomed alien species and destroyed entire ecosystems. However in chapter 6, technology is applauded for its restoration of the region’s waterway through modern sewage systems. With such technology comes significant responsibility and high expectations.
During Hurricane Sandy, Long Island had the largest sewage release in its the history. It was one of the most expensive effects of Hurricane Sandy, costing billions of dollars. The sewage plants are supposed to remove solid wastes, toxins, and bacteria before it is dumped into the ocean. If not for these plants, the raw sewage goes directly into the waterways. Unfortunately, during the storm over 6 New York sewage plants were shut down. Millions of gallons of raw sewage flowed into waterways and some of my friends had sewage backup in their homes.
The counties were much to blame. Nassau County constituents had long complained about the sewage systems, before the hurricane when there was already an apparent need for renovation. Almost all facilities in New York are by sea level, which make them vulnerable to surges. Also, these plants were built many years ago to serve a smaller population. Even the sewage system struggled to keep up with the people’s high demand. With all the being said, the local government still had a responsibility to its people to update the sewage equipment. Nassau County was in fact fined $1.5 million for illegally pumping around 3.5 million gallons of sewage into East Rockaway Channel and for other violations as well.
A few major lessons can be learnt from this particular event. Technology can be our biggest ally, but like a friend we cannot neglect it. It is not enough to put the system in place and fail to maintain it. A downside to technology is that it is often very expensive. However, officials must recognize it as worthwhile investment, considering the direct impact the environment has on its people. In the early twentieth century, fecal matter polluted the water and as a result many died of typhoid and dysentery from exposure to the water or from eating the contaminated fish. Unfortunately, incidences like this often reoccur.
People are clearly affected by the environments deterioration. They are also even aware of the adverse consequences, however, they are almost helpless without the government’s assistance. The government must not only keep up with its equipment, but it must also enact necessary laws. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Clean Air act of 1972 are good examples of such. These acts raised the nation’s environmental standards and started to reverse the pollution in regional waters.
A third take away is that, as already mentioned in class, we are overpopulated! It is not enough that we take up a lot of space, but even our garbage takes up a lot of space. More so, as technology progresses, we produce durable and easy to use materials like plastic, tin, synthetics that are not biodegradable and only add to the waste. At the same time, technology allows us to consume less with things such as digitization. Nowadays, we prefer the instant digital versions of things to their physical items. By also consolidating, for example all our music and or books on a single gadget or smartphone, we lessen our environmental footprint. Unfortunately, the impact will not be felt if we continue to over consume and constantly update our phones and other devices. Let’s stop blaming technology for the earth’s deterioration- with or without technology, it is regardless up to us to act responsibly.
