Task 2: Writing Assignment

Elkin Ortiz Vásquez Cod 91528027

Héctor Andrés Sánchez

Virtual tutor

Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia

Vicerrectoría Académica y de Investigación - VIACI
Course: English IV
Code: 90170
STAGE 1: What do you think are the negative or positive effects
of technology on the environment?

Man has used tools to feed himself, recreate himself or survive, unfortunately the
technology that man has developed has caused both positive and negative impact on the
environment, below are some technological inventions that have been developed over
time to help the environment.
Electric car: The development of technology has given this great change to the car that for
decades has used fuel obtained from the subsoil such as oil. The fuel in these cars has
been changed for an alternative fuel (electricity) obtained from natural sources such as
the sun, water, etc
Solar Panels is a device that takes advantage of solar energy and radiation emitted by the
sun and leads it to a storage source such as a battery.
Wind energy mills are devices that take advantage of wind currents and transform that
movement into electrical energy.
There is no product with zero environmental impact.
Even so-called “green”, “ecological”, “good for the environment” products have negative
impacts on the environment, mainly due to their manufacturing process.
Even when special attention is paid to reducing its environmental consequences, no
process is completely neutral.
In fact, any product needs raw materials and energy to manufacture.
All products must be packed and transported.
Ultimately, even if it is recycled multiple times, any product or packaging will one day
become waste.
Therefore, the challenge is to identify which product has less impact than another for the
same use does.

Stage 2: Technology and global warming

The consumption of minerals appears historically linked to the material development of
civilizations; since the industrial revolution, the improvement in the exploitation systems
has allowed the growth of production at ever-lower prices.
The environmental impacts of mining are reflected in deforestation, soil erosion, water
and air pollution, and millions of tons of solid waste. But, even more, when the extraction
is carried out in developing countries, the absence of a precise regulation also brings with
it misery and uprooting, in addition to the extermination of indigenous populations who
have the misfortune of being on mineral deposits.
The technological advance in the tools for the extraction of materials has caused the
exploitation of minerals to increase dramatically

Stage 3: What can be done?

On January 28, the World Day for the reduction of CO2, one of the main greenhouse
gases, is celebrated. Is it being done enough?
Stop emitting greenhouse gases - responsible for global warming - is not an option for
capitalist society. Not at least as drastically as it takes. Currently, all climate action - and
hope - goes through the plans of each country to meet the objective of the Paris
Agreement: that the temperature does not exceed 2ºC, and do everything possible to limit
that increase to 1.5 ºC. However, as the scientific community has been warning, the
commitments of the States are far from what is really needed.
Every January 28, World Carbon Dioxide Reduction Day is celebrated. Although it is not
the only one, this gas is the one that contributes the most to climate change, in addition
to being used as a reference to encompass the rest of greenhouse gases. On January 21,
the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii recorded the highest concentration of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere in one day: 415.79 ppm (parts per million). In 2018, the average
concentration of greenhouse gases reached historical records not seen in the last three
million years.
At the end of last year, the UN warned in a report that nations' global climate ambition
should triple: “As things stand, temperatures can be expected to rise between 3.4 and 3.9
° C this century. , which will bring with it far-reaching and destructive climatic impacts ”.
Germany
The Germanic country is the sixth in the world that contributes the most to climate
change. To correct this reality, on December 18, 2019, a plan of 70 measures came into
force. The goal is to reduce 55% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. For this they will
have a budget of 54,000 million euros to spend until 2023.
One of the most striking proposals of the German plan is related to transport. It has been
decided to make train tickets cheaper by reducing VAT; at the same time, the rates on air
travel will be raised. In addition, taxes will be imposed on polluting cars and the purchase
of electric cars will be encouraged.

Stage 4: Write a letter

Cra 9ª # 17-63 Brr Carvajal, Sabana de Torres, 687001 | 3177230280 | elkiova@gmail.com
30/07/2018

António Manuel Guterres de Oliveira

Executive-Secretary
United Nations
405 East 42nd Street
New York, 10017, USA

Dear Mr. António Manuel Guterres

Given so much pollution that we have in the world, I would like to share with you a
proposal that is being made in my region. if we do these good practices our world will
have salvation, because I wish that my planet be habitable for millions of years
A group of young people is carrying out a project called "return technology, restore your
footprint" is carried out by Social Raee, an expert company in the management of
electronic waste, led by David Cediel and Diego Pérez.
Why not throw this waste away?
These electronic devices have different chemical elements, some may even have mercury
and lead, which can pollute the environment, so they require special treatment. “If they
are taken to landfills, the acidic components can impact the soil and water sources. It is
not convenient to throw them away, ”Cediel stressed. The expert also assured that it is
not correct to deliver these items to scrap dealers. "These people move this waste to
clandestine sites and what they do is burn it to remove copper, for example, and cause
serious environmental damage to the atmosphere."
By handing over this electronic scrap to specialist organizations in the field, some
equipment can be repaired and reused. “Their useful life can be lengthened, as many
companies discard things in good condition. For example, schools and foundations could
acquire more economical and conditioned computers ”. The objective is to put the waste
of technology to good use and in this way commit the companies that benefit from this to
plant more trees since they are our lungs.
I hope this project can be carried out all over the world
Sincerely, your friend

Elkin Ortiz Vasquez