What are the 3 main sustainability issues relating to ICT?
- e-waste
- pollution
- finite resources
What is e-waste?
Old computer equipment that ends up as electronic waste that goes to landfill sites
What are the 3 main ways to increase the sustainability of ICT?
- recycle
- reducing your impact
- renewable energy
Can you name 3 ways your can reduce energy use when using a digital device?
- Switch off when not in use
- Adjust brightness of screen
- Use energy efficient equipment (e.g. screens / bulbs / PC)
- Set a sleep auto-timer (hibernate) - so device autmatically turns off when not in use
How can e-waste be disposed over to reduce its environmental impact?
- More developed countries are now sending e-waste to less developed countries
- Recycling - key parts of an computer system can be recycled or resued
How is the use of ICT polluting the environment?
- Toxic substances from e-waste can get into the soil and water supplies
- All digital devices use electricity and some require more energy to keep them cool. Electricity is traditionally generated by the combustion of fossil fuels which release greenhouse gases and can cause global warming
Can you name 4 ways that ICT be used to support sustainability and the environment?
- Reduced paper (e.g. from printing / sending letters).
- Less need to travel (e.g. for work/ leisure) - using systems like FaceTime, Skype and video conferences can reduce the need for people to travel to meet each other, and so less fuel is used
- Computers are used in manufacturing to reduce waste / improve efficiency
- Reduced packaging/printed materials due to digital downloads
The internet/computer use has facilitated a greater awareness of environmental issues
- Modern business and buildings can use computer controlled environment systems that will:
- keep airconditioning to a reasonable level
- automatically open of close windows to control the effects of sunlight
- Use solar panels to reduce the amount of electricity from the national grid
- Use low energy LED lighting controls
Can you name 2 ways that recycling help increase sustainability?
- Recycle or reuse old digital devices
- Donate unwanted devices to organisations which provide computers to poorer countries
- Companies may offer to buy your unwanted digital devices to re-use them or some also take apart electronic waste and sell the parts Reduce your impact
What could a person do to help increase their sustainability while using digital devices?
- Use your digital devices for as long as you can before replacing them
- Switch off your electronic devices when they are not in use and when they batteries are charged
- Use devices that have a sleep mode when not in use Renewable energy
How can a company help to increase its sustaiability?
- Companies who run large servers could move to locations with cool climates and cheap sustainable electricity
- Technology companies are starting to offer solar-powered devices
- Encourage greater use of VoIP & email to reduce carbon emmissions caused through communiting
- Old equipment can be recycled
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Can you think of 3 reasons why electronics shops offer a recycling service to its customers?
- It is a legal requirement under Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive (WEEE)
- It is good Customer service and this will enhance their reputation
- The company might have environmental concerns and it is their policy to increase sustainability
- So they can resell the equipment
- So they can give the equipment to charity
- So they can reuse it
How can downloading media products from the internet help sustainability and the environment?
carbon footprint will be reduced because less power / fewer resources used to create disk and packaging
Lower emissions (1) from transport /distribution (1)
Less waste produced (1) meaning less landfill / recycling costs (1)
