Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography

IDS 121.19

Topic Description:

The focus of my project will be the influence and effects of technology and its use by humans on the environment. Technology is largely responsible for the rise and perceived dominance of humans in today's world, but how has human use of technology impacted the environment? Technology is ubiquitous in our culture and society; we use it to communicate, entertain, travel, improve working conditions, and convert energy. It can both save and destroy lives, human and not human alike.

It is clear that technology has profound power, but what are its costs and benefits relative to biology? In what ways does the use of technology 'hurt' the environment, and in what ways does its use assist it? Over the course of human existence and prevalence of technology, has it been largely a positive or negative force? And in what ways do humans – as animals and members of the environment – benefit or suffer from our usage of technology?

This study will focus on analyzing the various ways, past and present, technology has and is impacting the environment. It will evaluate the effects of technology on biodiversity, ecological systems, climate, and environmental resources. It will also examine how these effects turn around and impact humans, as well as how humans have and stand to benefit from technology. These questions will be answered through review of scientific literature, information from classes, lectures, and commentator opinions.

The Production Media/Genre:

Information compiled for this project will be presented as a Research Paper.

Bibliography:

1. Digital Source. (Lecture) Kelly, Kevin. "Kevin Kelly Tells Technology's Epic Story | Video on TED.com." TED: Ideas worth Spreading. TED, Feb. 2010. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/kevin_kelly_tells_technology_s_epic_story.html>. “In this wide-ranging, thought-provoking talk from TEDxAmsterdam, Kevin Kelly muses on what technology means in our lives -- from its impact at the personal level to its place in the cosmos.”
2. Print Source. (Journal Article) Kitagawa, Masayasu and Yamamoto, Ryoichi. “Science on Sustainability 2006 Summary Report.” Research on the Scientific Basis for Sustainability. 31 Oct. 2005. Study examines the impacts of human society on several aspects of the world environment, and possible solutions.
3. Print Source. (Journal Article) Falt et al. “Technology and the Environment” United Nations Environment Program. 31 Oct. 2005. Examines technologies role in shaping the environment, and explores ways in which that technology can support and improve the environment.
4. Digital Source. (Website) Hardawar, Devindra. "Why I Believe Technology Will Save the Environment and Environmentalism." Devindra.org. 15 Oct. 2007. Web. 30 May 2011. <http://www.devindra.org/tech/2007/10/15/why-i-believe-technology-will-save-the-environment-and-environmentalism/>. Discusses methods of improving the environment through the usage of technology.
5. Digital Source. (Website) Cantoria, Ciel. "The Impact of Technology on Environment: From Stone Age Technology to Green Technology." Brighthub.com. 14 Oct. 2010. Web. 30 May 2011. <http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/61319.aspx>. The influence of technology on the environment through the ages.
6. Digital Source. (Lecture) Rockstrom, Johan. "Let the Environment Guide our Development | Video on TED.com." TED: Ideas worth Spreading. TED, Jul. 2010. Web. 30 May 2011. <http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/johan_rockstrom_let_the_environment_guide_our_development.html>. “Human growth has strained the Earth's resources, but as Johan Rockstrom reminds us, our advances also give us the science to recognize this and change behavior. His research has found nine "planetary boundaries" that can guide us in protecting our planet's many overlapping ecosystems.”