Podcast
Questions and Answers
What percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions is attributed to the digital sector?
What percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions is attributed to the digital sector?
The production phase of devices is the most polluting phase of their lifecycle.
The production phase of devices is the most polluting phase of their lifecycle.
True
What are the four pillars of Sustainable IT?
What are the four pillars of Sustainable IT?
Green IT, IT for Green, Human IT, IT for Human
40% of Belgians are considered __________ vulnerable in terms of digital inclusion.
40% of Belgians are considered __________ vulnerable in terms of digital inclusion.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following Digital Inclusion by Design Index criteria with their descriptions:
Match the following Digital Inclusion by Design Index criteria with their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a strategy for sustainable IT?
Which of the following is NOT a strategy for sustainable IT?
Signup and view all the answers
Digital Inclusion ensures that individuals with disabilities can access digital tools.
Digital Inclusion ensures that individuals with disabilities can access digital tools.
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key action point to promote sustainable IT practices?
What is a key action point to promote sustainable IT practices?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a primary action to promote inclusivity in digital services?
What is a primary action to promote inclusivity in digital services?
Signup and view all the answers
The Internet would rank as the world's largest polluter if it were a country.
The Internet would rank as the world's largest polluter if it were a country.
Signup and view all the answers
What is one principle of digital sustainability?
What is one principle of digital sustainability?
Signup and view all the answers
Using a __________ helps estimate the carbon footprint of websites.
Using a __________ helps estimate the carbon footprint of websites.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following actions can help reduce digital pollution?
Which of the following actions can help reduce digital pollution?
Signup and view all the answers
Refurbished devices can contribute to reducing electronic waste.
Refurbished devices can contribute to reducing electronic waste.
Signup and view all the answers
What can be reduced to minimize carbon emissions related to AI usage?
What can be reduced to minimize carbon emissions related to AI usage?
Signup and view all the answers
Extending the lifespan of digital devices is a principle of __________.
Extending the lifespan of digital devices is a principle of __________.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a recommended action to reduce your digital CO2 footprint?
Which of the following is NOT a recommended action to reduce your digital CO2 footprint?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Sustainable IT Practices
- Digital sector accounts for 5-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- Environmental impact of IT includes energy consumption, resource depletion, and e-waste.
- Four Pillars of Sustainable IT: Green IT, IT for Green, Human IT, IT for Human.
- Device production (e.g., smartphone) uses ~200 kg raw materials—is the most polluting phase.
- Circular economy and device longevity are vital for reducing environmental impact.
- Sustainable IT strategies involve choosing energy-efficient equipment, reducing data storage, and promoting digital sobriety.
- Encourage recycling and refurbishment.
- Optimize cloud usage and reduce unnecessary IT infrastructure.
- Support policies & practices for sustainable IT adoption.
Digital Inclusion
- Digital exclusion affects ~40% of Belgians.
- The Digital Inclusion by Design Index helps assess and improve inclusivity of digital tools.
- Digital inclusion ensures all individuals, regardless of skills, background, or disability, have access to digital tools.
- Digital Inclusion by Design Index criteria include transparency, language, trust, user journey, user involvement, accessibility, and interoperability.
- Examples of digital exclusion: difficulty with online booking systems or lack of access to essential online services.
- Design websites and apps with inclusivity in mind.
- Conduct user testing with diverse groups.
- Use the Digital Inclusion by Design Index to measure and improve inclusivity.
Website Carbon Footprint
- The internet is the 13th largest polluter globally (if a country).
- Website carbon emissions vary greatly depending on hosting, design, and content.
- Website Carbon Calculator estimates website carbon footprints.
- Principles for digital sustainability: Green hosting, optimized media (compressed images/videos), reducing excessive tracking, efficient coding, and using Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).
- Compressing images on a website can reduce carbon emissions by ~72%.
- Perform carbon audits of websites.
- Implement energy-saving practices in web development.
- Promote sustainable digital marketing strategies.
Circular IT and Youth
- Circular IT focuses on reuse, refurbishment, recycling of IT equipment.
- Circular IT reduces electronic waste and extends the life of IT equipment to significantly decrease environmental impact.
- Refurbishing and donating devices to schools and students can help bridge the digital divide.
- Promote responsible consumption of digital devices; partner with recycling organizations.
Digital Cleanup
- Digital pollution involves unnecessary energy consumption & carbon emissions from data storage, emails, and online activities.
- Digital Cleanup minimizes digital footprint.
- Excessive email usage (0.5 kg CO2e per employee daily) leads to digital pollution.
- Tips: unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters, share documents as links, avoid sending unnecessary "thank you" emails.
- Cloud storage usage (1 TB = 2.7 kg CO2 annually).
- Tips: delete unnecessary files, avoid duplicate backups.
- AI training (300 tonnes of CO2 for one model) impacts the environment, use AI responsibly. Optimize prompts to reduce resource usage.
- Video and streaming (4K resolution consumes significant energy) leads to pollution.
- Tips: download content, choose lower resolution when possible.
- Device emissions (80-90% during production): extend device lifespan, repair instead of replace when possible.
- Conduct digital cleanup days regularly; use tools to calculate carbon footprints.
- Educate employees on reducing their digital footprint.
Final Thoughts
- Digital Impact Day highlighted the need for addressing environmental & societal impacts of digital technologies.
- Sustainable practices, digital inclusion, and circular IT are critical.
- Take action by reducing digital footprint, promoting digital inclusion, supporting circular economy, and encouraging sustainable web practices.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the critical role of sustainable practices in the IT sector and the importance of digital inclusion for all individuals. Learn about strategies for reducing environmental impact, including energy efficiency and recycling, while also addressing the challenges of digital exclusion. This quiz will test your knowledge of these essential topics.
