Appropriate+technology

APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY Technology is „appliance of science ‟ : any activity by which humans manipulate the environment, or resources extracted from the environment, in order to meet needs (Roberts p.109) What is appropriate technology for energy supply? Is hydro development (Great Whale) appropriate? Technology assessment should follow sustainability criteria: futurity, social equity, and valuing the environment.

After lengthy environmental assessment the project was shelved. The environmental impacts, and the impacts on local communities proved to be to great to dignify the hydro-electric project. The appropriate technology was used to make these assessments. The amount of potential hydro to sell or use is lost. However, this is likely the reason for shelving the project indefinitely. As the population grows on both sides of the border, and energy use going up pretty much everywhere, it may seem plausible that in the future the project may be implemented. If Native communities were in the dark, then perhaps they would support the project.

It appears the times for big dams are coming to an end. More people are aware of the environmental impact they pose and therefore their is much more reluctantancy and opposition to build the large dam. Perhaps the appropriate technology for harnessing the potential in the great whale area would be the implimentation of a number of "run-of-the-river" systems to generate energy rather than a dam. The advantages to this system are that the environmental impacts are minimal, with energy still being produced. This is happening in much of British Columbia's wathersheds and seems to be working quite well. The development of these small projects do not block the river, therefore, allowing wildlife to pass freely. The image below is an example of what an alternative appropriate technology would be for the great whale area. It is a sustainable technology and balances social equity, as well as valuing the environment.