The Technology that is Coming

Technology is evolving faster than we may realize. Improvements in robotics, blockchain technology, 3D printing and artificial intelligence, are making life easier to millions of people around the world.

On the last couple of decades alone, there has been huge leaps forward in the areas of renewable energy. We have seen massive improvements in wind, solar, and hydraulics, as well as the developments of systems for clean water and air. There are cities and whole countries implementing these new technologies.

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a method of quantifying the environmental performance of a state’s policies. The index was developed by Yale University, Columbia University, and the World Economic Forum, to test environmental sustainability relative to the paths of other countries.(1)

The EPI’s major objectives are environmental health and ecosystem vitality. Within these objectives there are nine categories measured. These include health impacts, air quality, water and sanitation, agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, and habitat, as well as climate and energy. (2)

Out of the top 30 nations, the countries ranking highest on the EPI include Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark. The countries ranking the lowest are the United States, Canada, Italy, and Germany.

Those lower ranking countries are also the ones with the biggest economies in the world, with the U.S ranking first, Germany fourth, Italy eight and Canada tenth. Countries like China (2nd in GDP), Japan, and Brazil (3rd in GDP), don’t even rank on the EPI’ top 30 countries. (3) (4) The Environmental Performance Index’s data shows the sad reality of our modern world. Many of our governments and politicians are nearsighted, supporting wasteful approaches to manage resources worldwide. This type of research and statistical analysis is useful, to shine a light on what is working, and what isn’t, bringing us closer to a better world.

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