The technology of the future could be utterly mind-boggling — but only if there is a future in which that technology can develop. Climate change continues to worsen, with rising global temperatures leading to rising sea levels, horrific storms, pervasive droughts, and more. The only way to slow the threats of climate change is to reduce emissions, which means harnessing the most advanced technologies to connect Earth’s cities and make them green.
Why City Sustainability Matters
Every major climate change on Earth has precipitated a mass extinction event, and human-caused climate change is likely to be no different. Already, humans are responsible for mass extinction due primarily to irresponsible use of land and water. As climate change becomes more severe, the world could become uninhabitable to all forms of life as we know it.
More than half of Earth’s human population resides in cities, responsible for over 70% of global carbon emissions and up to 80% of energy consumption. Creating more sustainable cities is necessary to reverse climate change because it compels a significant portion of the human population to maintain eco-friendly lifestyles.
Sustainable cities have other advantages, as well. Some of the benefits to all sustainable city dwellers include:
- Improved living conditions
- Superior public health
- Easier transportation
- Better water quality
- Consistent economic growth
- Greater resilience against other crises
In many ways, green cities seem utterly utopian. Depictions of sustainable cities often include gorgeous green spaces, gleaming buildings, and crowds of healthy people. To many, these images of urban sustainability seem fantastical and probably unattainable. However, as technology advances, humankind gains access to the tools necessary to make the dream of green cities come true. By introducing high-tech solutions within urban infrastructure, humankind can benefit from sustainable city living, fight climate change, and build a better, brighter future for all.
Which Technologies Support Green Cities
So many of the technologies necessary for increasing city sustainability are already available — and plenty of them are already in use in cities around the world. Vancouver, London, Oslo, Zurich, Copenhagen, Brisbane, Hong Kong, and others have invested in key technologies to build the infrastructure necessary to ensure lasting sustainability. Some of the more common and more accessible green city technologies include:
- Electric transportation. Personal vehicles account for about 16% of all carbon emissions in the United States. Cities can reduce emissions significantly by mandating a switch to electric vehicles and installing charging stations around urban centers. Providing other forms of electric transport, like electric buses and trains, can also reduce urban emissions.
- AI-driven construction. Artificial intelligence can help architects, civil engineers, and other urban developers create more sustainable structures that consume less energy and offer other sustainable advantages. AI has already been used in the development of new sustainable materials and smarter city and structure layouts. Cities should consider creative ways to apply AI tech to construction, such as through cobots on construction sites or in AI-supported project management.
- Communication. As climate change intensifies natural disasters, communication systems will play a vital role in emergency response. Reliable tools like two-way radios are essential for maintaining connectivity when traditional networks fail. These radios provide instant, secure communication across teams, enabling coordinated rescues and disaster management. Advanced features like GPS tracking and emergency alerts further enhance their effectiveness.
- Dark fiber. Sustainable cities are connected cities; Data from all corners of the city needs to be shared quickly to keep all systems efficient. Fiber optic cables allow for the rapid transmission of information, so installing a network of unlit dark fiber optics allows cities to keep energy costs low while maintaining fast, secure connectivity.
- IoT-connected industries. Cities rely on many industries to provide jobs, amenities, and infrastructure. The applications of IoT are boundless for these industries. For example, transportation — the lifeblood of any urban center — benefits from IoT by optimizing routes, increasing fuel efficiency, and more. Meanwhile, healthcare takes advantage of IoT in several ways, be it through new treatment plans or more efficient hospitals and clinics.
- Smart waste management. Sensors placed in waste bins can help cities better understand the production of trash and recycling in different urban areas. Then, cities can develop more efficient waste collection strategies that improve sanitation without compounding traffic emissions, congestion, or costs. Industrial emissions like manufacturing waste could also become integrated into urban waste management processes through smart tech.
In reality, the green cities of the future might not look all that different from the urban centers we see today, but they will have radically different foundations. By altering urban infrastructure and adding advanced tech like IoT and AI to deliver complex insights and strategies, humankind can make meaningful moves to fight climate change and give everyone the healthy, happy lives they deserve.
