Let’s Skip “Hacking The Earth” And Think About Technology For Disaster Risk Reduction
The term “hacking the earth” has been used by some “tech for good” advocates as a metaphor for using innovative technology to address pressing global challenges, such as climate change and disaster risk reduction. While the intention may be to convey a sense of urgency and innovation, the use of this language can be problematic for several reasons.
1. Oversimplification of Complex Issues: Referring to complex and multifaceted challenges like climate change and disaster risk reduction as “hacking” can oversimplify these problems. Such issues require comprehensive, science-based solutions and long-term strategies, and reducing them to the concept of hacking can trivialize their complexity.
2. Ethical Concerns: The term “hacking” is often associated with unauthorized or unethical activities in the context of computer systems and cybersecurity. There is also the ongoing challenge of bias in many systems which could create additional harm to the most vulnerable groups. Using this language to describe efforts to address global challenges may inadvertently convey an unethical or even destructive approach, which is counterproductive to the ethical principles often promoted by “tech for good” advocates.
