Sustainable, non-depleting development is a model of resource use and interaction between people and nature based on innovation, in which the satisfaction of vital needs of the present generation is achieved together with preservation of the environment, enhancement of personal and public health, and without depriving future generations of such an opportunity. One of the biggest spheres that are at the forefront of applying sustainable technologies are industrial agriculture (or intensive farming) and energy.
Sustainable Development in Farming
Today, the most popular model of farming is intensive agriculture, a method that basically implies getting maximum possible yields out of every acre. Intensive agri practices allow for increased crop production due to high-yields, which means satisfied food demand for the constantly growing world population. Despite all this, industrial farming frequently leads to reduction in biodiversity, soil degradation. etc. mostly due to amplified output applications. But is industrial agriculture bad for the environment overall? And are there any intensive agriculture solutions for sustainable farming implementation?
Intensive agri practices undeniably have a negative impact on the environment due to overapplication of fertilizers and heavy land exploitation in general. Luckily, sustainable agriculture could be the solution that allows for mitigating the adverse impact of intensive agri practices while still ensuring great crop performance. In general terms, the philosophy of sustainable agriculture means being able to produce an adequate yield of a certain crop without polluting the environment (soil, air, water), without depleting natural resources, and without disturbing the ecosystem and biodiversity by farming activities.
However, farmers may not be aware of the consequences of intensive farming when sustainable practices are not implemented, so they continue to use old traditional methods that degrade natural resources and pollute the environment. One of the instruments that offers farmers a helping hand with the comfortable and fast implementation of sustainable farming practices is satellite imagery analytics. This affordable and accessible tech has already proven effectiveness among growers who aim towards sustainability while still ensuring high yields. Especially with the market offering different software solutions that make everything even easier.
Sustainable Agriculture with EOS Crop Monitoring
Although intensive farming clearly has some disadvantages to it, it also ensures sufficient food supply worldwide. Thus, this cultivation method cannot be renounced. However, its negative consequences can be mitigated.
EOS Crop Monitoring a software by EOS Data Analytics that ensures smart decision-making to industrial agriculture practitioners based on advanced satellite imagery analysis. The platform offers accurate data on weather, dcrop state, field productivity, efficient resources distribution, and much more.
For example, one of its most useful features is Zoning. It divides the field into several areas based on current vegetation indices values or their changes through a period of time. Thus, the user sees which field areas require application of a particular fertilizer and in which don’t require one at all. This allows for reducing the negative ecological effect of industrial agriculture and saving input costs due to smarter, differentiated application instead of “one rate for the whole field” approach.
Sustainable Transformation of Energy Sector
The energy system of the future must produce far fewer greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to increase the share of renewable (alternative) energy sources, to cope with fluctuations in electricity generation and increase decentralization of its production.
Alternative energy sources include non-conventional sources of energy — solar, wind, geothermal energy, and so on. Renewable energy sources do not pollute the environment, help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, and reduce the effects of climate change. They are practically inexhaustible, while fossil fuels will run out sooner or later. Renewables do not include nuclear power or natural gas, since these resources are limited.
A growing sector creates jobs today, makes electric grids more resilient, increases access to energy in developing countries, and helps lower energy bills. These factors have contributed to the growing popularity of renewable energy in recent years.
An important aspect to consider in the energy sector is the use of batteries. In the near future, transportation and energy will be closely connected, thanks to batteries, which are being introduced into these industries at an accelerated pace. The electrification of road transport and the transition to renewable energy sources will depend on how sufficient the batteries are.
The main driver of battery demand growth will be the placement of batteries in the electric grid and in electric vehicles. Batteries are playing an increasingly important role in addressing the following global challenges:
- Decarbonizing emissions from road transport and power plants into the atmosphere
- Ensuring transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources in electricity generation
- Ensuring the population’s access to electricity in non-electrified regions.
The transition to a closed-life cycle will allow more benefits to be derived from the operation of batteries, as well as the benefits from the batteries already in use. As a result, the intensity of greenhouse gasses emissions in the value chain will decrease, contributing to sustainability in energy use overall.
