We live in a world with faces behind screens, mind indulged in screens and perspectives shared in digital universe.
With the increasing trend of technology and access to technical aspects, the increasing concern over climate change has propelled the development and adoption of sustainable technologies as a crucial element in mitigating environmental impact. The world observed the fastest digital revolution in the COVID-19 pandemic, when the surge to transform businesses, educational institutes, and trades rose to tenfold. That is when the need for sustainable technology arose. Sustainable technology encompasses a range of innovations aimed at reducing resource consumption, minimizing emissions, and fostering a circular economy. As per a report by Demand Sage, in 2023, there are more than 5.3 billion active Internet users around the globe, accounting for 65.4% of the global population. China has the highest number of internet users, with 1.05 billion, followed by India, with 729 million, and the United States, with 311 million.
With the increasing trend to indulge the daily life styles using technology and the ease to trade, learn and even shop using ecommerce, sustainable technology became the top concern of policymakers and everyone around. Sustainable IT or Sustainable technology refers to the responsible use of information technology to minimize its environmental impact and maximize its long-term sustainability. This involves implementing strategies and practices to reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and promote environmentally responsible decision-making within the IT industry. It encompasses a set of manufacturing, management, use, and disposal practices that aim to lower the environmental impact of the solutions and industry.
One of the major concern here is the e-waste. Leaving the Technological garbage or useless technological materials unattended at hoes, offices or workplaces that are putting a threat to rising e-pollution. E-waste is the most rapidly growing waste problem in the world. We generate about 50 million tons of it every year. This is equivalent to throwing out 1000 laptops every single second. In some places the amount of e-waste increases with 500 % in the years to come. The stats and figures are not only concerning but also alarming for the future of Earth.
Sustainable technology is focused on contributing to the aspects that can reduce climatic hinderances or minimize pollution that is contributing to the global climate health destruction.
Sustainable Technology Aspects and Areas of Concern: - Sustainable IT manufacturing involves various strategies and initiatives that aim to develop innovative approaches with a reduced environmental impact.
- Sustainable IT management concentrates on optimizing the operational or use phase of the IT lifecycle. This entails efficient asset management by organizations, the adoption of energy-efficient equipment, and the exploration of renewable energy sources.
- Sustainable IT disposal seeks to optimize the end-of-life stages, giving particular attention to the principles of the circular economy.
Sustainable IT is an essential component of broader environmental sustainability and responsibility initiatives within organizations. By adopting these practices and principles, businesses and individuals can reduce their carbon footprint, minimize resource consumption, and contribute to a more sustainable IT industry. How is environmental impact reduced across the technology lifecycle? The environmental impact can be reduced across the technology lifecycle using the strategic interventions:
- The upstream phase considers the environmental impact of all activities from concept design through delivery to the customer. Activities that aim to reduce the upstream impact include reducing the amount of waste created as well as energy and water used from manufacturing to distribution logistics that minimize emissions.
- The use phase includes the environmental impact associated with the use of IT products. Considerations include focusing on identifying opportunities for efficiencies at the IT hardware and software levels followed by efficiencies in mechanical and electrical infrastructure around the IT hardware. Key focus areas include energy efficiency, equipment efficiency, resource efficiency, software efficiency, and data efficiency.
- The end-of-use phase includes the environmental impact of IT assets once the useful life of the product ends. Considerations in this phase include a product's reparability and recyclability as well as services to advance the circularity of the assets.
Using the strategic interventions and intellectual aspects with technology, we can promote sustainable technology. Ultimately, creating an impact in promoting healthy future of Earth.
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