I think technology plays an important role in solving the environmental crisis, but we should not expect it to save us.

As Nick said, technological advances should lead to a more efficient use of our resources. I think technology production that is green (or that tries to be green) is certainly a step in the right direction. Further development of renewable energy (wind, solar), is pivotal to the future of the environmental movement. These types of energy sources would significantly decrease how much harm we do to the planet. But it can't save us. Lifestyles of individuals and societies need to drastically change. Also, people need to keep in mind that technology isn't always a good thing. People thought CFCs were GREAT when they were first used commercially, it took more than 50 years to discover that it was creating a huge hole in the O-zone. So, while some technology may greatly improve our situation, we make accidentally create a technology that comes back to haunt us years later.

Though I do not think that technology can save us, I think that many people do believe so. Our society's dependence on technology creates the notion that people cannot help the environment unless they are engineers or chemists. People often use the "technology will solve it" mindset to excuse their personal inaction. That lifestyle shift that was mentioned above is also needed to "solve" the environmental crisis.