Environmental issues

Question 1

energy consumptions

Answer 1

vast amounts of energy are consumed in:

• production and assembly of computer equipment
• functioning of equipment
• online data stored in data centres
• recycling of equipment

smarter technologies help to protect the environment (e.g. light sensors that turn off when they are not needed)

Question 2

E-waste

Answer 2

• waste created by electronic devices may be illegally dumped in landfill sites where toxic waste substances (lead, mercury and cobalt) can get into the land and water
• many computer components cannot be recycled or reused
• millions of tonnes of e-waste are dumped in developing countries every year

Question 3

unsustainable aspects of technology

Answer 3

• digital devices contain over 60 different elements
• many are in short supply
• it has been estimated that indium will be used up in 10 years, platinum in 15, and silver in 20 years

-most of the energy used comes from non-renewable resources: fossil fuels

Question 4

sustainable aspects of technology

Answer 4

• computer help us develop and produce new sustainable materials and technologies (such as development of new energy sources)
• paperless communication such as email reduces the number of trees cut down

Question 5

recycling

Answer 5

sustainability and e-waste issues can be addressed by recycling or reusing old devices

• elements can be extracted and reused
• some components can be reused
• unwanted items can be donated to poorer countries

Question 6

advantages of technology for the environment

Answer 6

• experts from all fields can share research to develop better, smarter solutions
• instant communication speeds up business processes

-computer science allows us to monitor and study the environment and better understand how it works and how we affect it