Technology is often presented as the key to solving climate change. Governments and corporations promise innovations to reduce emissions. But can technology fix a crisis created by the same system that profits from destruction?
Green Energy Still Relies on Exploitation
Renewable energy sounds like the perfect solution. Solar panels and wind turbines replace fossil fuels. But their production depends on rare minerals, extracted under harsh conditions. Workers in the Global South face low wages and dangerous jobs. The same companies that sell “green” solutions continue to exploit both people and nature.
The Myth of Carbon Offsetting
Big industries claim to go “carbon neutral” by planting trees or buying carbon credits. But forests take decades to absorb carbon, while emissions continue today. This system benefits polluters without real change. It is like playing Slotsgem, hoping that buying more credits will eventually lead to a win. In reality, the house always wins.
Data Centers and the Hidden Cost of Digital Growth
The digital world seems clean. But data centers use massive amounts of energy. Streaming videos, cryptocurrencies, and cloud storage contribute to rising emissions. Even artificial intelligence, often praised for efficiency, requires huge computing power. Technology expands, but so does its environmental cost.
Electric Cars and the Illusion of Progress
Electric vehicles (EVs) are seen as the future. They reduce emissions on the road, but their batteries require lithium and cobalt. Mining these materials destroys ecosystems and displaces communities. Instead of questioning car culture, industries promote EVs to maintain profits while shifting pollution elsewhere.
The Capitalist Trap of “Green Tech”
Technology is not neutral. Under capitalism, it serves profit, not sustainability. Companies push for more consumption, not less. Phones, laptops, and smart devices become obsolete fast, forcing endless upgrades. Green technology should reduce waste, but instead, it fuels more production.
Who Controls the Solutions?
Tech billionaires claim they can save the planet. But they invest in space travel, luxury bunkers, and geoengineering. Instead of reducing emissions, they seek ways to escape the damage. Climate solutions should be public, not controlled by a few elites.
Real Change Requires Systemic Action
Technology alone will not solve climate change. Solutions must come from structural changes. Public transportation, local food systems, and energy democracy matter more than expensive gadgets. A system built on profit will never put the planet first. The fight against climate change is political, not just technological.
Greenwashing Misleads People
Many companies claim they are helping the planet. They use words like “eco-friendly” and “sustainable.” But they still produce pollution and waste. Instead of real change, they sell products that make people feel better while keeping the same system running.
More Technology Means More Waste
New gadgets come out every year. People are told to upgrade their phones, laptops, and cars. But old devices don’t just disappear. They pile up in landfills or get sent to poor countries. Technology could be used to make things last longer, but that would hurt profits.
Renewable Energy Needs Better Planning
Solar panels and wind turbines are good for the planet. But they must be built in ways that don’t destroy nature. Some projects cut down forests or push people off their land. Green energy should help everyone, not just big companies.
Real Solutions Are About Less, Not More
The best way to fight climate change is to use less. Less energy, less waste, and less consumption. But companies don’t want that. They want people to buy more, even if it harms the planet. True change means thinking beyond profit and creating a fairer world for all.
Technology Alone Won’t Save the Planet
New inventions can help reduce emissions, but they are not enough. If industries keep producing at the same rate, pollution will continue. Real change comes from using fewer resources, not just making new ones. Technology must support sustainability, not endless growth.
Climate Action Must Be Fair for Everyone
Rich countries use the most energy but expect poor nations to fix the problem. While some people can afford electric cars and solar panels, others struggle to buy food. Climate solutions should help everyone, not just those with money. A just transition means protecting both workers and the planet.
People, Not Corporations, Should Decide the Future
Right now, big companies and billionaires control green technology. They decide what gets built and who benefits. But people, not private interests, should shape climate solutions. Public investment in clean energy, free transport, and sustainable cities is the real way forward.
