The Link Between Biodiversity and Clean Technology

July 29, 2025

Preserving biodiversity and protecting the planet are twin tasks that are interrelated. Carbon emissions, for example, continue to drive increases in the Earth’s average temperature. Healthy ecosystems are crucial allies because forests, wetlands and oceans absorb around half of our carbon dioxide emissions and shield communities from floods and heat waves. But pollution can disrupt the delicate balance in some environments.

Earlier this year, 2023 IEEE President Saifur Rahman visited a UNESCO-designated nature reserve in the mountainous Shennongjia Forest in Hubei Province in China. He got a first-hand look at the impact that power systems can have on wildlife. The reserve is home to the golden snub-nosed monkey, which is a protected species. Labs and living quarters for researchers were originally powered by diesel systems, but the noise and pollution drove monkeys to higher elevations, where the food and flora available to them weren’t ideal.

A few years ago, a power company provided solar power with battery storage to power the research facility and housing for researchers, Rahman said. “This technology has allowed the monkeys to come down to lower elevations where sites are more to their liking.”

In this recent interview, Rahman discusses the interplay between a sustainable planet and biodiversity and the ethical responsibility technologists have when developing and deploying technologies that may impact ecosystems.

How has your background in electrical engineering and power systems shaped your understanding of the relationship between biodiversity and a sustainable planet?

My PhD thesis work at Virginia Tech was on nuclear power plant operations, a zero-emission power source. I also conduct research on solar and wind power integration into the electric power grid, focusing on reducing CO2 emissions from the electric power sector. CO2 emissions from fossil-fuel power plants pose significant threats to ecosystems, species interactions and the distribution of both plant and animal species.

Why is biodiversity important in the context of a more sustainable planet, and what do engineers and technologists often overlook about this relationship?

Increased CO2 can favor certain plant species over others, potentially leading to shifts in species composition, which can affect the animals that rely on those plants for food and habitat. Addressing CO2 emissions is therefore crucial for preserving biodiversity and maintaining the ecological balance necessary for healthy ecosystems.

Biodiversity is essential for the health and functionality of ecosystems, which in turn influences their ability to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of environmental changes. Maintaining and promoting biodiversity can enhance resilience, improve carbon sequestration and ensure the provision of vital ecosystem services, making it a key component of any effective response.

Engineers and technologists often overlook the interactions among various biological functions in nature that help sustain a healthy ecosystem. This results in an unidirectional approach where technology does what it is supposed to do, but the ecosystem is disturbed, causing unintended consequences.

What role can emerging technologies play in monitoring and preserving biodiversity?

If you think back to the example in the Shennongjia Forest, having reliable and emissions-free electricity allowed researchers to offer “around-the-clock” monitoring and protection. But with a reliable, more advanced power supply, they can also use more advanced research equipment, such as conservation monitoring instruments and environmental monitors. This has brought great convenience to the research team in this area.

By integrating technologies into conservation strategies, we can enhance our understanding of ecosystems, improve management practices and ultimately contribute to the protection of global biodiversity in the face of numerous environmental challenges.

In your view, what ethical responsibilities do engineers and computer scientists have when developing technologies that may impact ecosystems?

The ethical responsibilities of engineers and computer scientists when developing technologies that impact the planet are vital to ensuring that technological progress aligns with environmental sustainability and ecological integrity. Fostering a culture of ethical consideration and social responsibility by respecting cultural values of impacted communities can enhance interdisciplinary collaboration among these professionals. Simultaneously, it is important to understand that participation from local residents is essential for advancing technologies that benefit both society and the natural world.

Looking forward, what can IEEE do to elevate biodiversity in global conversations?

Stay involved. For example, the IEEE Smart Village Program has promoted technologies like solar photovoltaics and other projects in many remote parts of the world. These initiatives can provide best practices for biodiversity projects, similar to the creation of the microgrid for researchers in Shennongjia Forest in China.Interested in learning more? Visit IEEE Technology for a Sustainable Climate to discover how IEEE and its members are preserving biodiversity and explore additional resources.