Technology needs to be equitable to prevent hurricanes
With the amount of technological advancement and innovation the world has achieved since globalisation became a defining phenomenon, it is astonishing that we still have not found an effective way to prevent or at least reduce the catastrophic impact of hurricanes on small islands. Humanity has developed machines that can explore Mars, satellites that can map every inch of the planet, and artificial intelligence systems capable of predicting market crashes and pandemics, yet, when nature’s fury strikes, entire nations are still left vulnerable. The question is no longer whether we have the tools, but whether we are using them wisely and equitably.
In recent decades, the growth of globalisation has accelerated technological progress. We can now forecast weather patterns with extraordinary accuracy. Meteorological satellites can track hurricanes from their early formation in the Atlantic Ocean, and predictive models can estimate where and when they will make landfall. However, despite these tools, disasters continue to devastate smaller and poorer countries.
Hurricanes like Melissa have recently left countries such as Cuba and Jamaica in ruins, destroying homes, crops, and infrastructure, leaving thousands displaced and vulnerable. The question is: why do we continue to witness such devastation when we live in the most technologically advanced age in human history?
One of the key reasons lies in the unequal distribution of technological resources. Wealthier nations have the privilege of advanced infrastructure and early warning systems that can save lives and reduce damage. In contrast, smaller island nations often lack the financial and logistical capacity to implement such technologies effectively. While hurricanes and other natural disasters can technically occur anywhere, their most destructive impact is usually concentrated in developing regions. This inequality highlights a broader truth — that technology’s benefits are not shared equally across the globe.
It is not that the technology to mitigate disasters doesn’t exist; it’s that it isn’t being used where it’s needed most. Satellites orbiting Earth could be equipped with enhanced sensors and AI-driven systems to detect the rapid intensification of hurricanes earlier. The International Space Station (ISS) and related satellite programs could do more than observe; they could collaborate with ground-based agencies to direct resources to vulnerable areas before a disaster hits.
Advanced drone fleets could be deployed for early damage assessments and real-time rescue coordination. Moreover, the development of geoengineering techniques, such as altering sea surface temperatures or manipulating cloud formation, has been discussed as a potential method to weaken storms before they reach populated areas, though these approaches are still in early stages and carry ethical and environmental concerns.
Another promising direction lies in data-driven planning and resilience-building. Artificial intelligence and big data analytics can help governments predict which regions are most at risk and where resources should be concentrated. By combining data from satellites, ocean buoys, and historical storm patterns, predictive models can simulate various disaster scenarios and help countries prepare more effectively.
However, for these innovations to work, global cooperation is essential. The technology must be shared, and nations must be willing to invest collectively in protecting the world’s most vulnerable communities.
The recurring devastation of hurricanes like Melissa is not simply a natural phenomenon; it is also a failure of global priorities. Humanity has proven its ability to innovate when there is economic incentive or national prestige involved, but we have yet to demonstrate the same urgency for humanitarian protection.
Instead of spending billions on space tourism or weapon systems, governments and corporations could redirect even a fraction of that investment toward building resilient infrastructures in at-risk regions. Stronger flood defences, underground electrical systems, and hurricane-resistant housing can make an enormous difference in reducing damage and saving lives.
Ultimately, preventing the destruction caused by hurricanes is not just a technological challenge; it is a moral one. The tools exist, but the will to implement them equitably does not. As globalisation continues to bind us together, the disasters that destroy small islands today could destabilise global economies and ecosystems tomorrow. If technology is truly meant to safeguard and enhance human life, then the protection of vulnerable nations must become a shared global mission, not an afterthought.
Until the world commits to using its collective technological power to manage and mitigate natural disasters, hurricanes like Melissa will continue to expose the imbalance between innovation and empathy.
