Podcast
Questions and Answers
What percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions is contributed by the digital sector?
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.
The production phase of electronic devices is the least significant contributor to their overall environmental impact.
False (B)
What are the four key pillars of sustainable IT?
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.
Producing an average smartphone requires _____ kg of raw materials.
Match the following sustainable IT concepts with their descriptions:
Match the following sustainable IT concepts with their descriptions:
Which strategy is NOT a recommended way to promote sustainable IT?
Which strategy is NOT a recommended way to promote sustainable IT?
Understanding IT as a tool means considering its economic and social impacts.
Understanding IT as a tool means considering its economic and social impacts.
What is emphasized as crucial in mitigating the environmental impact of IT?
What is emphasized as crucial in mitigating the environmental impact of IT?
What does Moore's Law state?
What does Moore's Law state?
Wirth's Law suggests that hardware capabilities grow faster than software complexity.
Wirth's Law suggests that hardware capabilities grow faster than software complexity.
What is programmed obsolescence?
What is programmed obsolescence?
To promote a healthy relationship with technology, individuals should monitor their ______.
To promote a healthy relationship with technology, individuals should monitor their ______.
Which of the following is a key practice for extending the lifespan of devices?
Which of the following is a key practice for extending the lifespan of devices?
Buying refurbished devices can lower environmental impact.
Buying refurbished devices can lower environmental impact.
Match the following sustainable IT practices with their descriptions:
Match the following sustainable IT practices with their descriptions:
What tool does the Belgian Institute for Sustainable IT provide to assess the environmental impact of digital activities?
What tool does the Belgian Institute for Sustainable IT provide to assess the environmental impact of digital activities?
Green IT focuses solely on utilizing IT to minimize the environmental impact of human activities.
Green IT focuses solely on utilizing IT to minimize the environmental impact of human activities.
Name one challenge associated with e-waste.
Name one challenge associated with e-waste.
The number of different elements used in smartphones has increased to ____ in the 2000s.
The number of different elements used in smartphones has increased to ____ in the 2000s.
Match the following pillars of sustainable IT with their descriptions:
Match the following pillars of sustainable IT with their descriptions:
What is the primary environmental concern with the production of electronic devices?
What is the primary environmental concern with the production of electronic devices?
Videos account for the majority of online data flow.
Videos account for the majority of online data flow.
What concept promotes a mindful use of technology to minimize unnecessary consumption?
What concept promotes a mindful use of technology to minimize unnecessary consumption?
Circular economy principles aim to minimize waste by ______ materials.
Circular economy principles aim to minimize waste by ______ materials.
Match the following environmental impacts with their corresponding factors:
Match the following environmental impacts with their corresponding factors:
Which of the following is NOT a pillar of sustainable IT?
Which of the following is NOT a pillar of sustainable IT?
The recycling of electronic devices has become a minor challenge.
The recycling of electronic devices has become a minor challenge.
What causes significant pollution when extracting materials for smartphones?
What causes significant pollution when extracting materials for smartphones?
The demand for electronic devices is ______ and constantly growing.
The demand for electronic devices is ______ and constantly growing.
Flashcards
Sustainable IT
Sustainable IT
The practice of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in a way that minimizes its environmental impact.
Environmental Impact of IT
Environmental Impact of IT
The environmental effect of producing, using, and disposing of IT equipment and infrastructure.
Digital Sector's Contribution to GHG Emissions
Digital Sector's Contribution to GHG Emissions
The portion of global GHG emissions attributed to the digital sector.
Pillars of Sustainable IT
Pillars of Sustainable IT
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Green IT (Green IT)
Green IT (Green IT)
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IT for Green (IT for Green)
IT for Green (IT for Green)
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Human IT (Human IT)
Human IT (Human IT)
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IT for Human (IT for Human)
IT for Human (IT for Human)
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Digital Sector's Footprint
Digital Sector's Footprint
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Green IT
Green IT
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IT for Green
IT for Green
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Human IT
Human IT
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IT for Human
IT for Human
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Production Impact
Production Impact
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Materials Impact
Materials Impact
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Increasing Elements
Increasing Elements
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Extraction Challenges
Extraction Challenges
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Recycling Challenge
Recycling Challenge
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High Consumption
High Consumption
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Short Lifecycles & Low Repair
Short Lifecycles & Low Repair
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Data Growth
Data Growth
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Data Center Energy Demand
Data Center Energy Demand
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Video's Energy Consumption
Video's Energy Consumption
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Moore's Law
Moore's Law
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Wirth's Law
Wirth's Law
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Programmed Obsolescence
Programmed Obsolescence
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Digital Well-being
Digital Well-being
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Protect and Extend Device Lifespan
Protect and Extend Device Lifespan
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Buy Smart
Buy Smart
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Data Management
Data Management
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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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