Technology plays a crucial role in improving resource efficiency, a key focus in IB Geography within the Global Resource Consumption and Security unit. Resource efficiency refers to using fewer resources to produce the same or greater outputs, reducing waste and environmental impact. As global demand for resources increases, technological innovation has become essential for supporting sustainability and long-term resource security.
One of the most important areas where technology improves resource efficiency is energy production and use. Renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric systems generate electricity with far lower greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. Advances in battery storage and smart grids also improve efficiency by reducing energy loss and balancing supply and demand. Energy-efficient appliances and buildings further reduce overall consumption by using less power to achieve the same outcomes.
Technology also plays a major role in water efficiency. Improved irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation, deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing waste through evaporation and runoff. Water recycling and wastewater treatment technologies allow water to be reused for agriculture and industry, reducing pressure on freshwater supplies. Leak detection systems in urban water networks help prevent large-scale water loss, which is a major issue in many cities.
In food production, technological advances increase efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Precision agriculture uses data, sensors, and GPS technology to apply water, fertilisers, and pesticides more accurately. This reduces resource use and limits pollution. Genetically improved crop varieties can increase yields, improve drought resistance, and reduce the need for chemical inputs, supporting food security with fewer resources.
Technology also contributes to reducing waste. Recycling technologies allow materials such as metals, plastics, and paper to be reused, reducing demand for raw resource extraction. Advances in waste-to-energy systems convert waste into usable energy, improving efficiency while reducing landfill use.
In IB Geography, it is important to recognise the limitations of technology. Technological solutions are often expensive and may not be accessible to low-income countries. Some technologies also rely on scarce resources themselves, such as rare earth elements, which can create new forms of resource pressure. Technology alone cannot solve resource insecurity without effective management and changes in consumption behaviour.
Overall, technology plays a vital role in improving resource efficiency across energy, water, and food systems. When combined with sustainable policies and responsible consumption, technological innovation can significantly reduce environmental impact and support long-term development.
RevisionDojo helps IB Geography students understand how technology influences resource efficiency by linking innovation to sustainability and exam-style evaluation.
