The commercial drone industry is currently one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Because of their versatility, drones have come with a myriad of uses.
If 10 years ago, someone told us that we would have thousands of drones flying all over the world in 2019, it would be hardly believable.
But look where we are now!
Drones are used across a couple of industries for uses such as photography, security, mapping and surveying, transport and delivery among many others.
It is for this wide variety of uses that drones have become as popular as we see them today.
An essential part of our daily lives that has seen the impact of drones is the environment.
Because our environment has endured so much destruction in recent years, effects such as climate change are now very apparent.
Drones have provided much-needed reprieve however small an impact compared to the damage already done.
Here are a few essential ways drones are being used to help the environment.
Aerial Mapping
Traditionally, aerial mapping and monitoring were left to the more costly option of satellites and aircraft use.
A drone has the ability to overfly an area at very low altitude, without producing exhaust emissions.
Since drones are electric, they help to conserve the environment by eliminating the burning of fuel.
Drones come with a distinct edge over traditional methods of mapping as they are not restricted by cloud cover, are easier and much cheaper to operate, and do not involve a lot of manpower.
An example of how drones are being used to help the environment is in N’Djamena Chad. Here, drones are used to monitor water reserves essential for the city.
Environmental Disaster Relief
Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been used globally to aid in disaster management.
They help to asses, prevent and take on environmental disasters.
Drones will be used to scan the affected areas, asses the impact for better recommendations from the ones in charge.
An example of this is when they are used in dealing with forest fires in California.
Operators first use them to assess the damage or potential damage, then use them to dispense firefighting equipment.
Wildlife Conservation
Another way drones are being used to help the environment is by wildlife conservationists.
They use drones to monitor specific animal types and survey their surrounding areas in order to protect them.
Previously, monitoring large tracts of land such as game reserves was both costly and complicated.
In Australia, drones are used to monitor Orangutans and Chimpanzees.
In the Amazon, authorities use drones to spot and track, illegal loggers.
Agricultural Sustainability
The agricultural sector has benefited from technological advancements over the course of time. Innovation in the sector is showing no signs of slowing down.
One of the ways it has employed the innovative use of new technology is by the introduction of drones in the sector.
Drones have started replacing fuel burning machinery previously used in farms.
An example of this is where farmers use drones to spray pesticides over their farms compared to motorized machines that were previously used.
More Ways of Drones Being Used to Help the Environment Are getting discovered
The more the world advances in technology and innovation, the more ways drones are being used to help the environment come up.
In the energy sector, for example, drones inspect wind turbines for signs of damage. They are also used to monitor large solar panel fields.
Though they are relatively new to the sector, their potential will certainly make an impact.
Because drones are affordable and easily available, they are a better alternative to many traditional methods.
For more information on drones and their uses, be sure to check out our page.
