View source for Technogaianism

{{Short description|Stance favoring technology development to fight climate change and existential threats}}
{{Unbalanced|date=April 2016}}
{{Transhumanism}}
'''Technogaianism''' (a [[portmanteau]] word combining "techno-" for [[technology]] and "gaian" for [[Gaia philosophy]]) is a [[bright green environmentalist]] stance of active support for the research, development and use of [[emerging technologies|emerging and future technologies]] to help restore [[Earth]]'s [[Natural environment|environment]]. Technogaianists argue that developing safe, [[clean technology|clean]], [[alternative technology]] should be an important goal of [[environmentalist]]s.<ref name="Hughes 2004">{{cite book| author = Hughes, James| title = Citizen Cyborg: Why Democratic Societies Must Respond to the Redesigned Human of the Future| publisher = Westview Press| year = 2004| isbn = 0-8133-4198-1}}</ref>

== Philosophy ==

This point of view is different from the default position of [[Radical environmentalism|radical environmentalists]] and a common opinion that all technology necessarily degrades the environment, and that [[environmental restoration]] can therefore occur only with [[neo-luddism|reduced reliance on technology]]. Technogaianists argue that technology gets cleaner and more efficient with time. They would also point to such things as [[hydrogen]] [[fuel cell]]s to demonstrate that developments do not have to come at the environment's expense. More directly, they argue that such things as [[nanotechnology]] and [[biotechnology]] can directly reverse [[environmental degradation]]. [[Molecular nanotechnology]], for example, could [[List of solid waste treatment technologies|convert garbage in landfills into useful materials and products]], while biotechnology could lead to novel [[List of nuclear waste treatment technologies|microbes that devour hazardous waste]].<ref name="Hughes 2004"/>

While many environmentalists{{Who|date=January 2015}} still contend that ''most'' technology is detrimental to the environment, technogaianists point out that it has been in humanity's best interests to exploit the environment mercilessly until fairly recently. This sort of behavior follows accurately to current understandings of [[punctuated equilibrium|evolutionary systems]], in that when new factors (such as foreign [[species]] or [[mutant]] [[subspecies]]) are introduced into an [[ecosystem]], they tend to maximize their own [[resource consumption]] until either, ''a)'' they reach an equilibrium beyond which they cannot continue unmitigated growth, or ''b)'' they become extinct. In these models, it is ''completely impossible'' for such a factor to totally destroy its host environment, though they may precipitate [[ecological crisis|major ecological transformation]] before their ultimate eradication.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} Technogaianists believe humanity has currently reached just such a threshold, and that the only way for human civilization to continue advancing is to accept the tenets of technogaianism and limit future exploitive exhaustion of [[natural resource]]s and minimize further [[sustainable development|unsustainable development]] or face the widespread, ongoing [[Holocene extinction event|mass extinction of species]].<ref name="Rosenzweig 2005">{{cite book| author = Rosenzweig, Michael| author-link = Michael Rosenzweig| title = Win-Win Ecology: How The Earth's Species Can Survive In The Midst of Human Enterprise| publisher = Clarendon Press| year = 2005| isbn = 0-19-515604-8| url-access = registration| url = https://archive.org/details/winwinecologyhow00rose_0}}</ref> The destructive effects of modern civilization can be mitigated by technological solutions, such as using nuclear power. Furthermore, technogaianists argue that only science and technology can help humanity be aware of, and possibly develop counter-measures for, [[risks to civilization, humans and planet Earth]] such as a possible [[Asteroid impact avoidance|impact event]].<ref name="Hughes 2004"/>

Sociologist [[James Hughes (sociologist)|James Hughes]] mentions Walter Truett Anderson, author of ''To Govern Evolution: Further Adventures of the Political Animal'', as an example of a technogaian political philosopher;<ref name="Anderson 1987">{{cite book| author = Anderson, Walter Truett| title = To Govern Evolution: Further Adventures of the Political Animal| url = https://archive.org/details/togovernevolutio00anderich| url-access = registration| publisher = Harcourt| year = 1987| isbn = 0-15-190483-9}}</ref> argues that technogaianism applied to [[environmental management]] is found in the [[reconciliation ecology]] writings such as [[Michael Rosenzweig]]'s ''Win-Win Ecology: How The Earth's Species Can Survive In The Midst of Human Enterprise'';<ref name="Rosenzweig 2005"/> and considers [[Bruce Sterling]]'s [[Viridian design movement]] to be an exemplary technogaian initiative.<ref name="Hughes 2004"/><ref name="Sterling 2000">{{cite journal|    author = Sterling, Bruce|    author-link = Bruce Sterling| title = Viridian: The Manifesto of January 3, 2000|    year = 2001 | url = http://www.viridiandesign.org/manifesto.html| accessdate=2007-01-28}}</ref>

The theories of English writer Fraser Clark may be broadly categorized as technogaian. {{according to whom|date=December 2014}} Clark advocated "balancing the hippie right brain with the techno left brain". The idea of combining technology and ecology was extrapolated at length by a South African eco-anarchist project in the 1990s. The [[Kagenna Magazine]] project aimed to combine technology, art, and ecology in an emerging movement that could restore the balance between humans and nature.

[[George Dvorsky]] suggests the sentiment of technogaianism is to heal the Earth, use [[sustainable technology]], and create ecologically diverse environments.<ref name = dvorsky>[http://www.sentientdevelopments.com/2013/02/7-best-case-scenarios-for-future-of.html?spref=tw George Dvorsky, 7 Best-Case Scenarios for the Future of Humanity, Sentient Developments, (Feb. 2, 2013).]</ref> Dvorsky argues that defensive counter measures could be designed to counter the harmful effects of asteroid impacts, [[earthquakes]], and  [[Types of volcanic eruptions|volcanic eruptions]].<ref name = dvorsky/> Dvorksky also suggest that genetic engineering could be used to reduce the environmental impact humans have on the earth.<ref name = dvorsky/>

== Methods ==

===Environmental monitoring===
[[Image:Delta II 7420 on Launch Pad SLC-2W.jpg|right|190px|thumb|The Delta II rocket with [[climate research]] satellites, [[CloudSat]] and [[CALIPSO]], on Launch Pad SLC-2W, [[VAFB]]]]{{See also | Earth observation satellite|Environmental monitoring}}
Technology facilities the sampling, testing, and monitoring of various environments and ecosystems.  NASA uses space-based observations to conduct research on solar activity, [[sea level rise]], the temperature of the atmosphere and the oceans, the state of the ozone layer, air pollution, and changes in sea ice and land ice.<ref>[https://climate.nasa.gov/nasa_role/ Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet: NASA's Role, Taking a global perspective on Earth's climate]</ref>

===Geoengineering===
{{See also|Climate engineering}}

Climate engineering is a technogaian method that uses two categories of technologies- [[carbon dioxide removal]] and [[solar radiation management]]. Carbon dioxide removal addresses a cause of climate change by removing one of the [[greenhouse gases]] from the [[atmosphere]]. Solar radiation management attempts to offset the effects of greenhouse gases by causing the [[Earth]] to absorb less [[solar radiation]].

[[Earthquake engineering]] is a technogaian method concerned with protecting society and the natural and man-made environment from earthquakes by limiting the seismic risk to acceptable levels.<ref name=Bozorgnia2004>{{cite book
|last1=Bozorgnia
|first1= Yousef
|last2= Bertero
|first2=Vitelmo V.
|title= Earthquake Engineering: From Engineering Seismology to Performance-Based Engineering
|publisher=[[CRC Press]]
|year=2004 
|isbn=978-0-8493-1439-1
}}</ref>
Another example of a technogaian practice is an artificial [[closed ecological system]] used to test if and how people could live and work in a closed [[biosphere]], while carrying out [[scientific experiment]]s. It is in some cases used to explore the possible use of closed biospheres in [[space colonization]], and also allows the study and manipulation of a biosphere without harming Earth's.<ref name="Gitelson, Livovsky & MacElroy 2003">{{cite book|author1=Gitelson, I. I. |author2=Lisovsky, G. M. |author3=MacElroy, R. D. |name-list-style=amp | title = Manmade Closed Ecological Systems| publisher = Taylor & Francis| year = 2003| isbn =  0-415-29998-5}}</ref>  The most advanced technogaian proposal is the "[[terraforming]]" of a [[planet]], [[natural satellite|moon]], or other body by deliberately modifying its [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]], [[temperature]], or [[ecology]] to be similar to those of [[Earth]] in order to make it [[planetary habitability|habitable]] by humans.<ref name="Zubrin 1996">[[Robert Zubrin|Zubrin, Robert]], ''[[The Case for Mars|The Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must]]'', pp. 248-249, Simon & Schuster/Touchstone, 1996, {{ISBN|0-684-83550-9}}</ref>

===Genetic engineering===
{{See also|Genetic engineering|Genetically modified food controversies}}
S. Matthew Liao, professor of philosophy and bioethics at [[New York University]], claims that the [[human impact on the environment]] could be reduced by [[Gene therapy|genetically engineering humans]] to have, a smaller stature, an intolerance to eating meat, and an increased ability to see in the dark, thereby using less lighting.<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/03/how-engineering-the-human-body-could-combat-climate-change/253981/ Ross Anderson, How Engineering the Human Body Could Combat Climate Change, The Atlantic, (March 12, 2012).]</ref> Liao argues that human engineering is less risky than [[climate engineering|geoengineering]].<ref>[http://www.smatthewliao.com/2012/02/09/human-engineering-and-climate-change/ S. Mathew Liao, Human Engineering and Climate Change, (Feb. 12, 2012).]</ref>

[[Genetically modified food]]s have reduced the amount of [[herbicide]] and [[insecticide]] needed for cultivation. The development of glyphosate-resistant ([[Roundup Ready]]) plants has changed the herbicide use profile away from more environmentally persistent herbicides with higher toxicity, such as [[atrazine]], [[metribuzin]] and [[alachlor]], and reduced the volume and danger of herbicide runoff.<ref>{{cite journal | pmid = 18268303 | doi=10.2134/jeq2006.0540 | volume=37 | issue=2 | year=2008 | pages=401–8 |vauthors=Shipitalo MJ, Malone RW, Owens LB | title = Impact of Glyphosate-Tolerant Soybean and Glufosinate-Tolerant Corn Production on Herbicide Losses in Surface Runoff | journal = Journal of Environmental Quality| url=https://naldc-legacy.nal.usda.gov/naldc/download.xhtml?id=21799&content=PDF | doi-access=free }}</ref>

An environmental benefit of Bt-cotton and maize is reduced use of chemical insecticides.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Roh JY, Choi JY, Li MS, Jin BR, Je YH |title=Bacillus thuringiensis as a specific, safe, and effective tool for insect pest control |journal=J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=547–59 |date=April 2007 |pmid=18051264}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Marvier M, McCreedy C, Regetz J, Kareiva P |title=A meta-analysis of effects of Bt cotton and maize on nontarget invertebrates |journal=Science |volume=316 |issue=5830 |pages=1475–7 |date=June 2007 |pmid=17556584 |doi=10.1126/science.1139208|bibcode=2007Sci...316.1475M |s2cid=23172622 }}</ref> A PG Economics study concluded that global pesticide use was reduced by 286,000 tons in 2006, decreasing the environmental impact of herbicides and pesticides by 15%.<ref>Brookes, Graham & Barfoot, Peter (2008) [http://www.agbioforum.org/v11n1/v11n1a03-brookes.htm Global Impact of Biotech Crops: Socio-Economic and Environmental Effects, 1996-2006] AgBioForum, Volume 11, Number 1, Article 3. Retrieved 12 August 2010</ref> A survey of small Indian farms between 2002 and 2008 concluded that Bt cotton adoption had led to higher yields and lower pesticide use.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.agsy.2011.11.005 |title=Bt cotton and sustainability of pesticide reductions in India |year=2012 |last1=Krishna |first1=Vijesh V. |last2=Qaim |first2=Matin |journal=Agricultural Systems |volume=107 |pages=47–55}}</ref> Another study concluded insecticide use on cotton and corn during the years 1996 to 2005 fell by {{Convert|35600000|kg|}} of active ingredient, which is roughly equal to the annual amount applied in the EU.<ref>{{cite web |vauthors=Kovach J, Petzoldt C, Degni J, Tette J | url=http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/publications/eiq/ |title=A Method to Measure the Environmental Impact of Pesticides |publisher=New York State Agricultural Experiment Station |accessdate=23 November 2008}}</ref> A Bt cotton study in six northern Chinese provinces from 1990 to 2010 concluded that it halved the use of pesticides and doubled the level of [[ladybirds]], [[lacewings]] and spiders and extended environmental benefits to neighbouring crops of maize, peanuts and soybeans.<ref>Carrington, Damien (13 June 2012) [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jun/13/gm-crops-environment-study?INTCMP=SRCH GM crops good for environment, study finds] The Guardian. Retrieved 16 June 2012</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |doi=10.1038/nature11153 |title=Widespread adoption of Bt cotton and insecticide decrease promotes biocontrol services |year=2012 |last1=Lu |first1=Yanhui |last2=Wu |first2=Kongming |last3=Jiang |first3=Yuying |last4=Guo |first4=Yuyuan |last5=Desneux |first5=Nicolas |journal=Nature |volume=487 |issue=7407 |pages=362–5 |pmid=22722864|bibcode=2012Natur.487..362L |s2cid=4415298 }}</ref>

== Examples of implementation ==
{{Gallery
|width=160 | height=170 |align=center
|footer=
|File:Wiki_bio2_sunset_001.jpg
 | [[Biosphere 2]] sits on a sprawling 40-acre (16-hectare) science campus that is open to the public.
| File:Eden_Project_geodesic_domes_panorama.jpg
 | Panoramic view of the geodesic [[biome]] domes at the [[Eden Project]]
| File:Concept_Mars_colony.jpg
 | An artist's conception of a [[Colonization of mars | human Mars base]], with a cutaway revealing an interior horticultural area
| File:Bt_plants.png
 | [[Bt toxin]]s present in [[peanut]] leaves (bottom image) protect it from extensive damage caused by [[lesser cornstalk borer]] [[larva]]e (top image).<ref>{{cite web |author= Jan Suszkiw|url=http://ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/nov99/pest1199.htm |title=Tifton, Georgia: A Peanut Pest Showdown |accessdate=2008-11-23 |work= Agricultural Research magazine|date=November 1999| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081012182444/http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/nov99/pest1199.htm| archivedate= 12 October 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
|File:Four-solaire-odeillo-02.jpg
 | The [[solar furnace]] at [[Odeillo]] in the French [[Pyrenees-Orientales]] can reach temperatures up to 3,500°C.
|File:PS10_solar_power_tower.jpg
 |The [[PS10 Solar Power Plant]] concentrates sunlight from a field of [[heliostat]]s onto a central solar power tower.
| File:Nellis_AFB_Solar_panels.jpg
 |[[Nellis Solar Power Plant]] was the second largest [[photovoltaic]] power plant in North America when built.
| File:Windmills and Sailboats on the Ocean 4890300941.jpg
 |Offshore [[wind farm]] near [[Copenhagen]], Denmark
| File:Deep_Space_Climate_Observatory_(DSCOVR).jpg
 |[[Deep Space Climate Observatory]], designed to give an early warning of approaching [[Geomagnetic storm | solar storms]]
}}

==Related environmental ethical schools and movements==
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Biopunk]]/[[Do-it-yourself biology]]
* [[Bright green environmentalism]]
* [[Biomimetics]]
* [[Communalism (Bookchin)|Communalism]]
* [[Eco-communalism]]
* [[Prometheanism]]
* [[Reconciliation ecology]]
* [[Social ecology (theory)|Social ecology]]
* [[The Zeitgeist Movement]]
* [[Viridian design movement]]
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Renewable energy}}
{{colbegin}}
*[[Appropriate technology]]
*[[Eco-innovation]]
*[[Ecological modernization]]
*[[Ecomodernism]]
*[[Ecotechnology]]
*[[Environmental ethics]]
*[[Green development]]
*[[Green nanotechnology]]
*[[List of environmental issues]]
*[[Open-source appropriate technology]]
*[[Solarpunk]]
*''[[Ten Technologies to Fix Energy and Climate]]''
{{colend}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.greenprogress.com/ Green Progress] 
*[http://www.viridiandesign.org/ Viridian Design Movement]
*[http://www.worldchanging.com/ WorldChanging]

[[Category:Bright green environmentalism]]
[[Category:Green politics]]
[[Category:Environmentalism]]
[[Category:Transhumanism]]