Eco-Business and Community Ethics As we already know, during the last decades, technology has fundamentally changed our lives and some of them have provoked intense debates about the future of these technologies by legislators. Today, energy is very essential for the quality of life and has a fundamental factor in the economic growth and development of any country.
Different policies are being developed around the world for renewable energy to reduce dependence on fuel to produce electricity. Electricity produced by renewable resources is cleaner than electricity produced by coal-fired power generation because it does not emit carbon into the atmosphere that causes global warming and pollution of the Earth.
While this way of generating energy seems environmentally friendly to the atmosphere and natural resources, some socio-economic considerations and ethical issues arise, whether the high cost of implementing this system actually helps the environment or not, particularly those countries that are developing and have a low labor status.
I write this blog to highlight the importance and understanding of the fundamental realities of society in which the technology must operate. Therefore, the analysis of socio-economic consideration tools, i.e. SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat), PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental) and STEEPLE (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political, Legal and Ethical) are very crucial.
We must always welcome new innovations and their benefits, but we must also commit to sustainable development, considering the issues of human inequalities, dignity and inclusion. Some technologies progress independently of political support. But in that case, good governance and ethical considerations must remain the primary focus. I have studied literature related to this particular topic and feel that we need more research work. This would be a very interesting topic for research work as well.
Solar energy: a source of sustainable development rather than an environmental liability
Solar energy is undoubtedly a prerequisite for sustainable development because of its reduced or sometimes zero dependence on natural resources, including fuel, water and coal.
The European Union accepted the concept of sustainable development in 1990 and defined this concept as a significant economic, social, cultural and technological development in line with environmental protection and enabling the present generation to meet the need without compromising the quality of life of the future generation.
Renewable technology leads us to sustainable development because of its lower consumption of natural resources. This concept is improving life and the environment and also focuses on the preservation of the natural ecosystem. Although this technology has reduced environmental impact, it may interfere with the alteration of the local community’s land. This facility could also affect designated areas, such as wilderness areas, protected areas, areas of environmental concern, and special recreation management areas. Proper management and decisions can help reduce and avoid land disturbance.
Methodology Purpose
To identify the problems, barriers, constraints, and opportunities for solar systems, commercial tools, such as SWOT, PESTLE, and STEEPLE, can be analyzed. Under these tools, the study can find socio-economic factors. The methodology can be classified into Surveys, Questionnaires and Open Questions within the community. In-depth interviews can also be conducted with experts in a particular area (where the technology is implemented) to analyze the performance of new environmentally friendly technologies. The company/organization and the researcher can then decide and consider the factors through quick response and good value services to the community in the future.
Business Analysis
To manage a technology business in the market or local community, whether on a larger or smaller scale, business owners or government policy makers need to conduct various analyses to understand the locals. There are many methods that can help perform the analyses before making a decision. SWOT analysis is the most commonly used technique, but STEEPLE and PESTLE are also used by businesses to identify internal and external factors that are favorable or sometimes unfavorable to achieving a specific objective. These analyses can also be used to examine business solutions in case of some organizational problems and capabilities.
To determine which technique is best, it depends on the reality, culture and habitat of the community. Innovations are good and should always be welcomed if they bring justice to human beings and the environment. To be taken into account, human need is important but without deteriorating the natural environment. Each advanced technology poses ethical values for human beings and their environment. Therefore, policy makers and leading scientists should incorporate technology into the environment with some ethical and socio-economic considerations.