StackSasquatch
Well-known member
Visualising the Devastating Consequences of Overconsumption: A Glimpse into a Ruinous Future
A striking exhibition at London's Last Shot Gallery is shedding light on the catastrophic impact of our insatiable appetite for technology. Through the work of artists and climate expert Mark Maslin, this poignant display paints a stark picture of what could be in store if we continue down our current path.
By combining data-driven projections with breathtaking visuals of iconic landscapes, the exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of fast tech consumption. The consequences are sobering: by 2100, Venice will be largely submerged beneath the waves, the Giant's Causeway will have vanished, Iguazu Falls will have shrunk to a fraction of its former glory, and the Seine River will be but a memory.
According to Maslin, the environmental damage caused by our tech addiction is estimated to account for 6% of the human-driven climate crisis – more than double that of the aviation industry. This staggering statistic underscores the urgent need for change, as our daily choices – including those related to technology – contribute significantly to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
The mining of materials like tantalum, cobalt, and tin for tech production is a minefield of social and environmental issues, with e-waste disposal posing an additional threat. The proliferation of disposable devices has led to the accumulation of toxic waste, while the 'planned obsolescence' model perpetuates a culture of disposability.
However, there is hope on the horizon. In response to growing concerns, the EU has introduced legislation aimed at curbing built-in obsolescence and promoting repairable technologies. The UK's existing regulations have been criticized for their effectiveness, but Back Market, the global marketplace behind this exhibition, is taking a proactive approach by offering refurbished tech options.
As Forshaw, Head of Brand and Marketing at Back Market, notes, "Making sustainable options more affordable, accessible and transparent is key to bridging that gap." By choosing longevity over landfill, we can begin to rethink our relationship with technology and mitigate the devastating consequences of overconsumption. The clock is ticking – will we heed the warning signs before it's too late?
A striking exhibition at London's Last Shot Gallery is shedding light on the catastrophic impact of our insatiable appetite for technology. Through the work of artists and climate expert Mark Maslin, this poignant display paints a stark picture of what could be in store if we continue down our current path.
By combining data-driven projections with breathtaking visuals of iconic landscapes, the exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of fast tech consumption. The consequences are sobering: by 2100, Venice will be largely submerged beneath the waves, the Giant's Causeway will have vanished, Iguazu Falls will have shrunk to a fraction of its former glory, and the Seine River will be but a memory.
According to Maslin, the environmental damage caused by our tech addiction is estimated to account for 6% of the human-driven climate crisis – more than double that of the aviation industry. This staggering statistic underscores the urgent need for change, as our daily choices – including those related to technology – contribute significantly to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
The mining of materials like tantalum, cobalt, and tin for tech production is a minefield of social and environmental issues, with e-waste disposal posing an additional threat. The proliferation of disposable devices has led to the accumulation of toxic waste, while the 'planned obsolescence' model perpetuates a culture of disposability.
However, there is hope on the horizon. In response to growing concerns, the EU has introduced legislation aimed at curbing built-in obsolescence and promoting repairable technologies. The UK's existing regulations have been criticized for their effectiveness, but Back Market, the global marketplace behind this exhibition, is taking a proactive approach by offering refurbished tech options.
As Forshaw, Head of Brand and Marketing at Back Market, notes, "Making sustainable options more affordable, accessible and transparent is key to bridging that gap." By choosing longevity over landfill, we can begin to rethink our relationship with technology and mitigate the devastating consequences of overconsumption. The clock is ticking – will we heed the warning signs before it's too late?
i mean think about it - in 2100 venice is GONE?! the giant's causeway, iguazu falls... these are like our heritage or something and we're just gonna lose them all to climate change because of our addiction to tech 
what can we do? imo it starts with making sustainable options more affordable and accessible 
we need more places like back market that offer refurbished tech options, not just for the planet but also for our wallets 
I mean, think about it, we're so busy scrolling through our feeds and snapping selfies that we don't even notice the devastating impact it's having on our planet 
. And it's not just the polar bears or the melting ice caps - it's us humans who are losing out on all the beauty of nature 
. I'm not saying we can just stop using technology (because let's be real, that's not gonna happen 
), but maybe we need to rethink our approach. Like, what if instead of buying a new gadget every 6 months, we invested in something that would last us the rest of our lives? 
It's time to think about longevity over landfill, you know? 
. We gotta think more critically about the impact our daily choices have on the planet. It's not just about e-waste and pollution, it's also about the social issues surrounding material mining - the human cost of our tech obsession is real 
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. Making refurbished tech options more accessible and affordable is a great step in the right direction. We need more initiatives like this, but we also gotta start making some serious changes on our own - like choosing longer-lasting devices over disposable ones 
.
. We need to teach people about the environmental and social implications of their tech choices, so they can make informed decisions that actually help mitigate the problem. It's not just about technology itself, it's about how we use it and why 
.
. but seriously, what can we do about it? its not all doom and gloom tho... theres some good news out there! like, europe has this awesome legislation to curb built-in obsolescence and promote repairable tech 
. and back market is doing some amazing work by offering refurbished options. so yeah, lets hope we can make a change before its too late 
That's more than double the damage from airplanes! 
And it's not just the air pollution, e-waste and mining of materials like cobalt are HUGE issues too 
The EU is making some good moves with their new legislation and Back Market is offering refurbished tech options which is SO cool 
Not just because of the planet but also because think about all the $$$ we can save by not buying new stuff all the time 
it's so crazy how much our daily choices (including tech use) contribute to pollution & greenhouse gas emissions 
like have u seen the EU's new legislation on planned obsolescence? its a step in the right direction but we need more 
venice underwater by 2100 is just crazy 
. We need to start thinking about the future before we run out of time 
. The EU's new legislation is a good step, but we need more 
Venice is gonna be underwater by 2100? Giant's causeway is GONE? it's crazy 
. But at the same time, I'm kinda hopeful about some of these developments... I mean, the EU is doing some good stuff with those regulations, and Back Market is trying to make sustainable options more accessible. It's all about making a change, you know? Not just saying we need to be more eco-friendly, but actually doing something about it 
. We can't keep playing catch-up on this one - the clock is ticking