Appropriate technology and impact on society

Appropriate technology (AT) is technology that suits the local social, economic, cultural, environmental and skill conditions of the place where it is used. It is usually small in scale, low in cost, simple to operate and repair, uses local materials and labour, and does little harm to the environment. The idea was popularised by E. F. Schumacher in Small Is Beautiful ("intermediate technology"). It is not "old" or "low" technology: it is the right technology for the situation.

Examples in Nepal: biogas plants, improved cooking stoves, micro-hydro with peltric sets, solar home systems and solar dryers, ropeways, gravity-fed drinking-water schemes, treadle pumps and the traditional ghatta (water mill) upgraded to an improved water mill.

Impact of technology on society

Positive impacts

• Better health, longer life, education and communication.
• Higher productivity and economic growth, new jobs and industries.
• Better transport and trade; access to information.
• Improved comfort through energy services.

Negative impacts

• Unemployment from automation; widening gap between rich and poor.
• Environmental pollution, climate change and resource depletion.
• Loss of traditional skills and culture; privacy and security problems.
• Health issues such as stress, sedentary life and e-waste.

AT tries to keep the positive impacts and reduce the negative ones by choosing small-scale, local and clean technology.