Throughout historical past, people have been persistently inventive and ingenious. People have discovered methods to unravel issues to make life simpler and extra fulfilling. While these are sometimes constructive developments, inventive innovations also can result in unexpected issues. But innovation by no means stops. With the assistance of science, technology and creativity, folks give you new options.
Think about electrical vehicles. The world has develop into more and more conscious of the dangerous results the combustion engine has on the surroundings. For years, automotive firms have been experimenting and creating new applied sciences to allow totally electrical engines. Thanks to years of analysis and improvement, electrical vehicles are actually a typical sight on roads. People nonetheless want vehicles, however they developed a extra sustainable approach of driving them.
People are additionally discovering methods to energy lives that do much less harm to the surroundings than conventional strategies. Take for example, energy-saving LED bulbs, that are way more power environment friendly than conventional filament bulbs. People nonetheless get entry to electrical gentle, however with decreased environmental affect.
Innovation wants steady assessment
This is an instance of an thought generally known as harm-reduction. Rather than abandoning the technology due to the harm it causes, harm reduction accepts that innovation wants reviewing and enhancing, and that there are sometimes higher methods to do the identical issues, which maintain the specified results whereas minimising the unintended negatives.
“Innovation is about progress with responsibility,” says Dr Aseel Al Barham, Manager Corporate Affairs, UAE at Philip Morris Management Services Middle East. “Over the years, advances in science, technology and regulation have enabled society to reduce the adverse effects of continuing potentially harmful behaviours. This is known as harm reduction. From electric cars to energy-efficient lighting, and using sunscreen, all are examples of innovations to reduce the harm caused by certain behaviours and activities, and are woven into our everyday lives.”
Harm reduction additionally applies to tobacco. It’s clearly greatest that no person smokes and that those that do smoke, give up. Nevertheless, enormous numbers of individuals aren’t doing so.
“Recognising that there are over one billion adult smokers today, we are in need for a similar harm reduction approach to be applied to the known risks of smoking,” she says. “Science and technology can help deliver better smoke-free alternatives for adults who would otherwise continue smoking. Philip Morris International has embraced the commitment for a smoke-free future driven by science, sustainability, and innovation.”
Devices akin to e-cigarettes and tobacco heating methods are designed to ship nicotine, however with out the burning that takes place whereas smoking cigarettes.
How does this cut back harm?
The smoke produced from burning incorporates the excessive ranges of dangerous and doubtlessly dangerous chemical compounds related to smoking-related illness. By eliminating combustion, and due to this fact smoke, scientifically substantiated alternate options can considerably cut back the typical ranges of dangerous chemical compounds in comparison with cigarettes. This doesn’t make them risk-free and they supply nicotine, which is addictive. However, they provide the potential to be a lot better alternate options for adults who would in any other case proceed to smoke.
– In affiliation with Philip Morris Management Services (Middle East)