Sensors, society, and sustainability

The world is currently facing numerous environmental challenges, including global warming, environmental acidification, climate change, desertification, energy crisis, and pollution. Sustainable development has emerged as a key solution to combat these pressing issues, encompassing a wide range of multidisciplinary prospects. This review focuses on the vital role of sensors in achieving sustainability, supporting One Health, and fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the pursuit of sustainable development, technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, 5G communication, and cloud computing have been leveraged for monitoring and remediation applications. However, sensors serve as the fundamental backbone of these intelligent, sustainable technological advancements. Classified as physical, chemical, and biological sensors, they encompass nearly all application fields. By integrating AI capabilities, sensors become empowered to respond to stimuli based on pre-trained machine algorithms. This paper delves into the potential of sensors across various sectors for diversified applications. The review outlines the large-scale integration of smart and intelligent sensing devices in various sectors by minimizing human resource requirements and improving resource efficiency and sustainability for the betterment of society. Moreover, it highlights the challenges and alternate solutions to achieve sustainability in sensors supporting SDGs with the integration of green technology and waste-to-wealth modules.