Environmental Impact of Digital Sector
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Questions and Answers

What percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions is contributed by the digital sector?

  • 5-10% (correct)
  • 20-25%
  • 1-2%
  • 15-20%

    • The production phase of electronic devices is the least significant contributor to their overall environmental impact.

    False

    What are the four key pillars of sustainable IT?

    Green IT, IT for Green, Human IT, IT for Human

    Producing an average smartphone requires _____ kg of raw materials.

    <p>200</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following sustainable IT concepts with their descriptions:

    <p>Green IT = Minimizes the environmental footprint of IT equipment IT for Green = Uses technology to reduce human environmental impact Human IT = Promotes ethical and inclusive technology usage IT for Human = Focuses on serving people and communities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which strategy is NOT a recommended way to promote sustainable IT?

    <p>Maximizing data storage needs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Understanding IT as a tool means considering its economic and social impacts.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is emphasized as crucial in mitigating the environmental impact of IT?

    <p>Circular economy principles and promoting device longevity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Moore's Law state?

    <p>Computing power doubles roughly every two years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Wirth's Law suggests that hardware capabilities grow faster than software complexity.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is programmed obsolescence?

    <p>The design of products with a limited lifespan to encourage frequent replacement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To promote a healthy relationship with technology, individuals should monitor their ______.

    <p>screen time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a key practice for extending the lifespan of devices?

    <p>Upgrading components when necessary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Buying refurbished devices can lower environmental impact.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following sustainable IT practices with their descriptions:

    <p>Protect and Extend Device Lifespan = Maintaining devices to avoid replacements Reduce Consumption = Turn off unused devices and lower energy use Digital Well-being = Cultivating a healthy relationship with technology Data Management = Being mindful of personal data shared</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What tool does the Belgian Institute for Sustainable IT provide to assess the environmental impact of digital activities?

    <p>Sustainable IT Calculator</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Green IT focuses solely on utilizing IT to minimize the environmental impact of human activities.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one challenge associated with e-waste.

    <p>Proper disposal and recycling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The number of different elements used in smartphones has increased to ____ in the 2000s.

    <p>65</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following pillars of sustainable IT with their descriptions:

    <p>Green IT = Aimed at reducing the environmental impact of IT equipment. IT for Green = Uses IT to reduce human activity's environmental impact. Human IT = Focuses on ethical and inclusive technology use. IT for Human = Prioritizes technology that serves people and communities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary environmental concern with the production of electronic devices?

    <p>Raw material sourcing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Videos account for the majority of online data flow.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concept promotes a mindful use of technology to minimize unnecessary consumption?

    <p>Digital sobriety</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Circular economy principles aim to minimize waste by ______ materials.

    <p>reusing, repairing, and recycling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following environmental impacts with their corresponding factors:

    <p>E-waste = Challenges in disposal and recycling Energy consumption = Growing data centers Short life cycles = Devices become obsolete quickly Extraction challenges = Destructive mining practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a pillar of sustainable IT?

    <p>Corporate IT</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The recycling of electronic devices has become a minor challenge.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes significant pollution when extracting materials for smartphones?

    <p>Mining processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The demand for electronic devices is ______ and constantly growing.

    <p>high</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Environmental Impact of Digital Sector

    • Digital sector accounts for 5-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
    • ICT's environmental impact arises from energy use, resource depletion, and e-waste.

    Four Pillars of Sustainable IT

    • Green IT: Minimizes environmental footprint of IT equipment.
    • IT for Green: Uses technology to reduce human impact.
    • Human IT: Promotes ethical and inclusive technology use.
    • IT for Human: Emphasizes technology's service to people/communities.

    Impact of IT Equipment

    • Production: Smartphone production requires ~200 kg of raw materials. The number of elements used increased significantly over time (12 in 1980s, 17 in 1990s, and 65 in 2000s).
    • Materials: Manufacturing relies heavily on resource extraction, sometimes causing environmental damage (e.g., copper mining).
    • Recycling: Recycling electronic devices is a major challenge due to high demand and short lifecycles.

    Impact of IT Use

    • Data Growth: Data volume increased significantly since 2010, reaching 26 Zetabytes (2017).
    • Data Centers: Growing data volume demands more energy-intensive data centres.
    • Video Dominance: Video accounts for 60% of online data flow.

    Towards Sustainable IT

    • Circular Economy: Aims to reuse, repair, and recycle materials.
    • Device Longevity: Extends device lifespan to reduce environmental impact.
    • Digital Sobriety: Minimizes unnecessary digital consumption.

    Action Points for Sustainable IT

    • Expand recycling/refurbishment programs.
    • Optimize cloud usage to reduce infrastructure carbon footprint.
    • Support sustainable IT practices/policies.

    Conflicting Pressures

    • Sustainable IT faces challenges due to digital economy's focus on innovation and growth.

    Social Impact of IT

    • Sustainable IT considers social impact, ensuring equitable benefits.
    • Factors like accessibility, inclusion, cybersecurity, ethics, and well-being are addressed.

    Innovation and Obsolescence

    • Moore's Law: Computing power doubles roughly every two years.
    • Wirth's Law: Software complexity grows faster than hardware.
    • Planned Obsolescence: Products/devices designed with limited lifespans.

    Key Best Practices

    • Device Lifespan: Maintain devices, upgrade components instead of replacing.
    • Purchasing: Choose refurbished/used devices.
    • Consumption: Limit device use, disable unnecessary features.
    • Video Usage: Opt for lower video quality or audio-only platforms.
    • Data Management: Efficient data storage/transfer practices.

    Public Resources

    • ISIT (Belgian Institute): Offers various resources for sustainable IT.
    • Sustainable IT Calculator: Evaluates environmental impact.
    • Design Guide: Facilitates responsible digital service design.
    • Sustainable IT MOOC: Provides structured learning experiences.
    • WeNR: Tool for measuring organization's IT carbon footprint.

    Conclusion

    • Sustainable IT requires holistic effort from individuals, organizations, and governments.

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    Description

    Explore the environmental implications of the digital sector, focusing on its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Learn about sustainable practices in IT, including Green IT and its role in reducing human impact through technology. This quiz will test your knowledge on the production, use, and recycling challenges of IT equipment.

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