1. Technological Fix 3. What is the role of technology in the management of the contested planet ? a) The impacts of intermediate / appropriate technology with hi-tech megaprojects
b) Role of technology in global issues
c) Chances of technology contributing to a more environmentally sustainable future
d) The technological future – convergence or divergence?
Learning Objectives:
Understand that technology operates at different levels and has various social and environmental consequences
Appreciate the differences between appropriate intermediate technology and the megaproject approach

2. Starter – Polluter Pays
Summarize the polluter pays principle into 3 key words

3. Our Future? Shortages of fossil fuels
Global population growth (over 8 billion)
Persistent poverty (1.1 billion living on less that $1 per day in 2011)
Climate change (1-2°c warming by 2030)
Water shortages (By 2030, people will have access to 30% less water)
Famine

4. Views Pessimist – Malthus Population growth at geometric growth
Food production increase at arithmetic growth
= Starvation
Optimist – Boserup
Possible to overcome environmental limits through culture and technology

5. Types of Technological Fix
High Tech
Energy production Civil Engineering Dams
Landfill Gas Alternative Technology Biodiesel
ICT Micro Technology Mobile Phones
GM Crops Nano-and bio- technology Green Revolution
Geoengineering
Pumpkin Tanks Intermediate Technology Jiko Stoves
LED Lights Appropriate Technology wind-up radio
Low Tech
Labour Intensive
Capital Intensive

6. Technology Definitions
Intermediate Technology – relatively low, usually low labour-intensive technology that can be mastered by local people, especially in the developing world
Appropriate Technology – Technology that suits the level of income, skill and needs of the local people
Megaprojects – Looks to develop a high-income, consumer economy through large scale projects such as dams, airports etc

7. Issue
Malthus
Boserup
GM Foods
HIV/AIDS
Dam Building
???

8. Case Study – Tackling water shortages in Ethiopia
Considered one of the poorest countries in the world
IMF puts Ethiopia's growth for 2007 at 11.4%!
Issues of drought – can technology have the answers?
Huge water potential that is currently not being used

9. Task Summarise each of the three schemes
Are the social and environmental consequences of large dam schemes, such as the Tekeze Dam, justifiable in order for poor countries to develop?
Explain how each of the three schemes aims to tackle the issue of water security for Ethiopians
To what extent do you agree with the view of the World Bank that ‘Ethiopia is poor because it doesn’t use its enormous water potential’?
Social Impacts
Economic Impacts
Environmental Impacts
Low Tech solution – Harvesting the rain
High Tech solution – Tekeze Dam
Intermediate Technology – small dams

10. Plenary – Just One Minute!
Topic – Water Shortages in Ethiopia