Mainstream vs. Modern 

Mainstream environmentalists believe the abundance of technological advances and materials are harming the Earth; however, there is another growing movement of activists who feel that technology will save it. In Fred Pearce's article, New Green Vision: Technology As Our Planet's Last Best Hope, he sums up Ecological Modernism in a sentence, "If we can do our business in a smaller part of the planet--through smarter, greener, and more efficient technologies--then nature can have the rest."

Whichever side of the spectrum you're on, it's undeniable that technological advances and products exist and that they have the power to change the world for better, or for worse.

The Good, the Bad, and the Not-So-Pretty

From energy-saving wall sockets and phone chargers to solar-powered homes, technology is becoming an increasingly popular method for consumers interested in making more environmentally-conscious choices. But for those who do not properly dispose of their outdated and broken electronic devices through recycling programs, technology also adds to the carbon footprint. According to Vangal Shredding and Recycling, Americans improperly dispose of more than $60 million worth of silver and gold from cell phones each year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports for every 1 million cell phones recycled, 35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. Recycling cell phones alone helps avoid the need to mine and process new materials, which helps to conserve natural resources, and prevent air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling cell phones saves so much energy--it's equivalent to the electricity used to power more than 24,000 U.S. homes in one year!

Advancements often come with the possibility of downsides--technological accomplishments are no exception. Earth Day is a great reminder for all of us to realign ourselves with the effects of the technology we use. We should know how each device we use affects the Earth, realizing its impact both while in use, and long after its lifespan.