Protecting our environment and ensuring sustainability are among the most pressing and complex issues of our time, and there is still much to learn about them. This topic is particularly relevant today. But how serious is the situation? Can we do anything to counteract environmental degradation? What role do companies play? And what solutions do innovative technologies offer? The latest episode of the Bosch Hungary Podcast arrives with thought-provoking insights, providing a glimpse into the most hidden dimensions of sustainability.

The warning signs are increasing, and it has become clear: climate change and species extinction are occurring before our eyes at an unprecedented pace, caused by human lifestyle. The Bosch Hungary Podcast’s latest episode delves into the underlying causes and urgent actions needed by both corporations and individuals, featuring Antal Miklós, an engineer-physicist and head of the MTA-ELTE Lendület New Vision Research Group, a lecturer in human ecology; Szalóczy Miklós, an engineer-manager and leader of Bosch’s global energy efficiency task force; and Tóth Edit, the digital media manager of Bosch Hungary.

Not since the dinosaurs have so many species gone extinct

First, we must clarify what poses the greatest threat to our future. The most severe environmental issue is undoubtedly species extinction, as biodiversity is the foundation of Earth’s resilience – as stated in the podcast. We are currently experiencing the sixth mass extinction, comparable to the event 65 million years ago that wiped out the dinosaurs. Climate change, primarily driven by carbon dioxide emissions, plays a significant role in this process.

This may sound familiar, but what we often overlook is that carbon dioxide can alter the climate in just a few decades, radically transforming living conditions and production capabilities within the lifetime of people living today.

According to Antal Miklós, the “milder” scenario is that desertification, already noticeable, will intensify, making certain regions uninhabitable, triggering migration, and increasing geopolitical conflicts. However, another scenario is also possible: the weakening of the North Atlantic current could fundamentally change Western Europe’s climate, rendering massive infrastructure and transportation networks obsolete almost overnight – painting a grim picture of the future.

A pear can travel around the Earth

Let’s take a look at our everyday habits that have a decisive impact on our planet. It’s not just about what we buy, how we travel, what we use for heating, or how much waste we produce, but also what we eat. A thought-provoking example, widely shared on social media, is the case of a canned pear, mentioned by Szalóczy Miklós in the podcast. This product, available in North America, originates from Argentina but is packaged in Thailand, traveling across the ocean twice before reaching consumers. Why is this possible? Because there is consumer demand for it, as the expert points out in the latest episode of the Bosch Hungary Podcast.

Bosch: Sustainability begins at the design table

The situation is indeed critical: mitigating environmental destruction and achieving sustainable development require urgent actions. It is easy to see that, alongside the general public, the activities of companies, manufacturing, and commerce – due to their scale and intensity – contribute significantly to environmental pollution but also provide opportunities for a greener future. The Bosch podcast expert highlights an important and promising trend among economic players: an increasing number of companies are making serious sustainability commitments due to regulatory requirements, customer expectations, or self-imposed stringent goals. “At Bosch, sustainability begins at the design table,” emphasizes Szalóczy Miklós, underlining the importance of long-term thinking. According to the expert, sustainable operations may soon become the foundation of corporate success and competitiveness.

Self-sufficient factories: Hydrogen microplants could be the future

Bosch is enhancing resource protection and energy efficiency through numerous measures, including purchasing 99% green energy and generating its own renewable energy at 110 out of its 400+ global sites using microplants. One of the most exciting solutions is at a Bosch plant in Salzgitter, Germany, where a gas-powered hydrogen production system has been supplemented with a 5MW solar panel system to generate green hydrogen from solar energy. This hydrogen is highly storable and can be used in various ways, such as being converted back into electricity in fuel cells for vehicles and production processes. “It is evident that energy storage is a crucial area of the green transition, and hydrogen is likely to play a key role in it,” highlights Antal Miklós in the podcast.

Innovative companies and consumers working together can save the future

Many people believe that individual actions do not matter because “they don’t make a difference.” However, this is a misconception. To live more sustainably, we need to rethink our core values and habits. There are many ways we can contribute to protecting the environment, and numerous innovative technologies support this effort – from more efficient electric vehicles to much more energy-efficient public transport or even reducing travel needs altogether.

Bosch Hungary Podcast: Technology made accessible

The Bosch Hungary Podcast explores the latest topics in innovation and research & development, providing clear and understandable answers to the most pressing questions about future technology with expert guests. Those interested in sustainability topics can listen to or watch the discussions on Bosch Hungary’s
YouTube,
Spotify,
Apple Podcasts, and
Simplecast podcast channels!

Source: Double Decker Communications