Digital Pulse - Ch 2 - Sec 1 - ICT and the Environment: Friends or Foes

Summary

One of the less discussed topics in the debate around ICTs is their direct and indirect linkages to the physical environment. This short article introduces a special series of articles hosted on the ICT for Development Gateway that discusses the pros and cons of ICTs and the knowledge and information revolution. The authors tie this series into the larger dialogue on the international Millennium Development Goals. The conclusion is that despite their potential negative impacts on environmental sustainability, the benefits far outweigh the costs.

Key Points

While the relationship between ICTs and the environment might at first seem tenuous, it becomes clearer when the power of ICTs are seen to affect nearly every aspect of human life and one understands that every human action inevitably affects the environment. A proper understanding and framework for decision making about the environment is dependent on access to correct, relevant, and timely information. ICTs have obviously contributed to the ability to receive and produce this information and to foster discussion and dialogue. The authors note the interesting dynamic that graces both the environment and ICTs; an understanding on two levels, local and global.

Some of the environmental benefits that stem from ICT implementation and usage include the development of communication platforms for local voices, increased communications between organizations, and better opportunities for individuals to become involved in activities that protect the environment. The negative impact of institutions on the environment is reduced by the usage of ICTs and the introduction of paperless offices and government, less need for the physical transportation of people that requires carbon fuel usage, and improvements in management, networking and information exchange. Research also benefits from ICTs and its exceptional tools for observation, simulation, and analysis of environmental phenomenon and processes. But at the heart of the benefit of ICTs is their ability to equip every individual with a better understanding of the consequences of their individual actions on the world.

On a more philosophical level, ICTs benefit the environment even more by moving the economy from one based on matter, scarce resources, and material consumption to one that deals in ethereal concepts such as knowledge. ICTs also provide some very raw technical benefits; improved environmental monitoring and data management, remote sensing and mapping, and facilitating the development of communities and avenues for raising public awareness.

ICTs have a down side, however, and it is critical that these issues do not escape without consideration and debate. Most ICT products are not-fully recyclable and with 30 million computers being thrown out in the US alone each year a considerable pile of e-waste accumulates. Much computer waste reportedly ends up being shipped to Asia where it is scattered in landfills or burned, producing toxic dioxins. On a higher level there is also the impact that ICTs will have as general purpose technologies (GPTs) that also facilitate environmentally degrading practices by advertising SUVs or improving the cost efficiency of polluting coal shipments and transfers. It is thus important to remember that ICT are not inherently good for the environment and in many ways are dependant on their particular utilization.

In concluding, the authors note that the environmental effects of the information revolution are difficult to separate from the impacts caused by the concurrent transition to a knowledge and service economy. The authors provide a host of links to more detailed analysis of each topic covered and invite readers to contribute to the expansion on this important debate.

Source: Oleg Petrov “ICT and the Environment: Friends or Foes” at the Development Gateway