Have you ever seen how a drone majestically takes to the air?
Then have you watched mesmerized as the drone pilot stares into a small screen and somehow maintaining control as the drone zooms all over the place?
The photo here is from a demonstration I saw at an international weed science conference in Thailand that showcased this sophisticated drone鈥檚 abilities.
It is one of many tools now employed in 鈥減recision agriculture鈥� resulting in reduced volume of herbicides or fertilizers by only spraying where needed.
Drones are also used to map weed patches to be targeted by herbicides.
My colleague at Trinity Western University, whale biologist Elizabeth Zwamborn uses drones extensively in her research.
Zwamborn is able to fly drones far enough away as to not disturb the whales and yet close enough to open an incredible window on whale behaviour that was not previously available.
If you have seen any recently produced nature documentaries, it is likewise astonishing what can now be captured on film using drones.
Just like Dr. Zwamborn鈥檚 whales, the wildlife subjects benefit from having only the quiet buzzing of a drone in the distance versus a land rover noisily lurching towards them over the African plain.
Speaking of sound, drone shows offer a much quieter way to celebrate than traditional fireworks.
I attended the 91原创 Canada Day celebration this year and was enthralled to watch as the 300 drones traced out many iconic Canadian symbols 鈥� the map of Canada, the maple leaf, the beaver, the salmon, the moose!
Meanwhile, the negative impacts of the noise from fireworks on pets and wildlife are well-documented.
When fireworks and drones are compared in terms of environmental impact, it is not just noise pollution that make fireworks less green.
Drones do not produce high levels of water and air pollution such as those measured a study of fourth of July fireworks in New York published in 2024.
The researchers found levels of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), and copper (Cu) doubled in samples taken from nearby rivers, and airborne particulate matter was as much as 50 times that of background levels.
Although the manufacture of drones is not without environmental issues, the fact is that they can be re-used many, many times whereas fireworks only get one time to shine.
So as drones continue to rise into view, they help us see into a greener future.
(David Clements, Ph.D., is professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Trinity Western University)
