technology and the environment

In considering whether technology can save the environment or not, I feel it is important to consider what technology essentially is. Technology is defined by merriam-webster as the practical application of knowledge, especially in a particular area so as to create an ability. Philosophically, it is how humans control their environment to their advantage, regardless of how you define environment. Whether it involves fashioning a spear to ward off bears or a fishing pole to catch fish or even a house to protect from predators and inclimate weather, technology is how humans secure THEMSELVES in nature. It is also the engine by which they separate themselves from nature (as in building societies to escape a state of nature). There is no doubt that technology has played a multiplier role the global environmetal degradation, but can it also reverse this? I think not. While a cornicopian might argue otherwise, I am of the opinion that to start repairing the environment, we need to reverse population growth, reverse material consumption rates and improve efficiency whereever possible. Speculating this from a macro perspective, technology should be able mitigate all of these requirements, but only to a certain exent. For instance, technology can craete contraceptives and abortion techniques to curb growth rates, but it is up to individuals not to reproduce excessively. Technology can make industries and processes more efficient thereby reducing consumption rates, but it is up individuals to consume less to begin with. In short, I do beleive that technology can help save the environment if we apply it properly, but in the end it will require more than just technology to save the planet.