INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT) AND ITS APPLICATION IN IMPROVING ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY

“If you think that the internet has changed your life, think again. The Internet of Things is about to change it all over again!”

— Brendan O’Brien

The Internet of Things is a network of devices that feed data into a platform to enable communication and automated control. Historically, the IoT concept was not officially named until 1999, but one of its first examples is a Coca-Cola machine that was located at Carnegie Mellon University in the early 1980s.

Research has shown that IoT has a lot of applications and about 48% of large enterprises around the world make use of it. 

However, it can be applied in various ways like agricultural innovation, transforming healthcare, upgrading supply chains and so much more.

Do you know that the Internet of Things is transforming the everyday physical objects that surround us into an ecosystem of information that will enrich our lives? Even within the listed disadvantages of IoT lie the solutions. The way forward is to apply sustainable initiatives in the IoT sphere.

By working together, we can use IoT to create a cleaner, healthier environment through the development and implementation of environmentally conscious practices, such as energy-efficient devices responsible data management, and proper disposal of electronic waste. When sustainability is prioritized, we can maximize the positive impacts of IoT on the environment while mitigating any potential drawbacks. 

Though IoT offers numerous benefits and opportunities, it is expedient to assess some of its environmental impacts. These include increased energy consumption through the proliferation of IoT devices, a high surge of electronic waste (e-waste) generation from the IoT industry’s growth, extraction of resources including rare earth metals, semiconductors, and plastics, etc. 

However, IoT has significantly contributed to the creation of green jobs in the world through sectors such as data collection, education, information management, waste management, manufacturing, construction, environmental sustainability, and the healthcare sector. 

The potential for IoT to create green jobs is a significant study by the World Economic Forum, which estimated that IoT could create up to 26 million green jobs by 2025. These jobs would require a variety of skills. Some of the most in-demand skills for green jobs in the IoT sector include software development, data science, engineering, sales, and marketing.

One major environmental/climatic issue in Nigeria is air pollution , which has caused a lot of health problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria has the 10th highest level of air pollution in the world today. This pollution is caused by several factors including vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, and open burning of waste. IoT can be localized in solving the environmental problem of air pollution at the grassroots level, using a model. 

This model involves innovations such as monitoring environmental conditions through IoT sensors and optimizing resource use by taking track of usage in homes and businesses, the sensors can provide feedback on how to reduce consumption, promote sustainable transportation like carpooling, and provide real-time information on traffic conditions, generating renewable energy without polluting the environment with fumes. 

IoT can be a powerful tool for solving environmental problems at the grassroots level. By localizing IoT solutions, communities can address the specific environmental challenges they face and make a real difference in the world.

As IoT technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and effective ways of applying it to protect the environment, especially in Nigeria.

By embracing sustainable practices, and initiating and fostering collaboration, the power of IoT can be harnessed to build a more sustainable future. We should all seize this opportunity to leverage IoT’s capabilities and efficiencies with precision to create a world that will benefit both humanity and the environment.

In conclusion, the fusion of ‘GREEN’ and IoT holds the key to a future where technology and nature thrive in harmony. Let’s empower our devices not just to be ‘smart’ but also ‘sustainable’ with the magic of GREEN IoT.

Pictures credit: collide, sketch bubble

CONTRIBUTORS:

GIFT CHIKA IFOKWE

ADENIYI AYEMU ADEJARE

SUCCESS SOWAH

BLESSING ESTHER OLADITI

PEACE MOJOLAOLUWA OYETUNDE

PRAISE IGWEONU

OBISANYA SAMUEL

OLUWASEUN OLUDARE

HASSAN TEMITAYO ABIDAT

HUSSAINA ABDULLAHI RUBA

EDITOR:

James Oluwaseun Abigail