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 (B)

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 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>True (A)</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. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>False (B)</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 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Buying refurbished devices can lower environmental impact.

<p>True (A)</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 (B)</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 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Videos account for the majority of online data flow.

<p>True (A)</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 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The recycling of electronic devices has become a minor challenge.

<p>False (B)</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

Flashcards

Sustainable IT

The practice of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in a way that minimizes its environmental impact.

Environmental Impact of IT

The environmental effect of producing, using, and disposing of IT equipment and infrastructure.

Digital Sector's Contribution to GHG Emissions

The portion of global GHG emissions attributed to the digital sector.

Pillars of Sustainable IT

The four key pillars of Sustainable IT are Green IT, IT for Green, Human IT, and IT for Human.

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Green IT (Green IT)

Aims to minimize the environmental impact of IT equipment and infrastructure.

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IT for Green (IT for Green)

Utilizes technology to reduce the environmental impact of human activities.

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Human IT (Human IT)

Promotes ethical, accessible, and inclusive technology usage.

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IT for Human (IT for Human)

Emphasizes technology as a tool to serve people and communities.

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Digital Sector's Footprint

The environmental impacts associated with producing, using, and disposing of IT equipment and infrastructure.

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Green IT

Practices focused on reducing the environmental impact of IT equipment and infrastructure. It includes initiatives like designing energy-efficient devices and using renewable energy sources.

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IT for Green

Utilizing IT to reduce the environmental impact of human activities in areas like agriculture, transportation, and energy.

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Human IT

Promoting technology that is ethical, accessible, and inclusive for everyone, ensuring it benefits society without discrimination.

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IT for Human

Technology serving people and communities through human-centered design, promoting well-being, and addressing social challenges.

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Production Impact

The production of electronic devices, especially smartphones, significantly contributes to their overall environmental impact.

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Materials Impact

The mining and extraction of raw materials for electronic devices, like smartphones, consume large amounts of resources and can have negative environmental impacts.

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Increasing Elements

The increasing number of different elements used in smartphones, leading to complexities in mining and potential environmental issues.

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Extraction Challenges

The extraction of elements for smartphones can lead to environmental destruction, such as large open-pit mines with potential pollution.

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Recycling Challenge

Recycling electronic devices poses a significant challenge due to the complex materials and fast obsolescence of devices.

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High Consumption

The high demand and constant growth in the market for electronic devices lead to a massive amount of e-waste.

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Short Lifecycles & Low Repair

Short lifespans of electronic devices, combined with limited repair options, encourage consumers to discard them instead of fixing them, contributing to e-waste.

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Data Growth

The continuous growth in the volume of data created, copied, and consumed, significantly increasing the energy consumption of data centers.

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Data Center Energy Demand

The growing demand for digital services is driving the need for more powerful data centers, leading to increased energy consumption.

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Video's Energy Consumption

Video content dominates online data flow, consuming significant amounts of energy, especially for high-resolution streaming.

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Moore's Law

A principle stating that computing power doubles roughly every two years, leading to constant technological advancements.

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Wirth's Law

This law suggests that software complexity increases faster than hardware capabilities, potentially slowing down computers despite hardware improvements.

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Programmed Obsolescence

The intentional design of products with a limited lifespan, encouraging frequent replacements.

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Digital Well-being

A concept promoting responsible technology usage and a healthy relationship with digital devices.

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Protect and Extend Device Lifespan

This practice involves taking care of devices, upgrading components instead of replacing them, and using devices for longer durations.

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Buy Smart

Making conscious choices about device purchases, considering refurbished or second-hand options to minimize environmental impact.

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Data Management

Practices aimed at managing data usage efficiently, reducing cloud storage reliance, using efficient transfer methods, and being mindful of personal data sharing.

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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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