"The world is facing an unprecedented climate and environmental emergency. Scientists have identified human activity as primarily responsible for the climate crisis, which together with rampant environmental pollution, and the unbridled activities of the extractive and agricultural industries, pose
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a direct threat to the sustainability of life on this planet. This edition of Global Information Society Watch (GISWatch) seeks to understand the constructive role that technology can play in confronting the crises. It disrupts the normative understanding of technology being an easy panacea to the planet’s environmental challenges and suggests that a nuanced and contextual use of technology is necessary for real sustainability to be achieved. A series of thematic reports frame different aspects of the relationship between digital technology and environmental sustainability from a human rights and social justice perspective, while 46 country and regional reports explore the diverse frontiers where technology meets the needs of both the environment and communities and where technology itself becomes a challenge to a sustainable future." (Back cover)
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"If digitalization truly is an element of great social change, it has to be sustainable, fair, and relevant to all people and working for the common good. Without proper discussions on benefits or risk, without democratic control and regulations, technologies have the potential to lead to more and n
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ew social, economic and ecological problems. Important first steps have been made to discuss the role of technology and the digital world. Yet we have to continue to actively shape the path of a truly sustainable digitalization. As a framework, in this paper we propose one of the most comprehensive sustainability concepts ever agreed on by the world: The 2030 Agenda with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." (Page 1)
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"Knapp 2.000 Menschen zog die ‹Bits & Bäume› im November 2018 an die Technische Universität Berlin. Dieser Zuspruch verdeutlicht die Lücke, die wir mit unserer Veranstaltung gefüllt haben: Digitalisierung und Nachhaltigkeit als zwei wesentliche aktuelle Herausforderungen unserer Gesellscha
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ft müssen endlich gemeinsam diskutiert werden. Die ‹Bits & Bäume› hat vielfältige Akteure zusammengebracht, vor allem aus der Tech-Szene und der Nachhaltigkeitsbewegung, aber auch aus Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Politik. Die Konferenz hat gezeigt: Wir brauchen dringend neue Foren, um uns mit Digitalisierung auseinanderzusetzen. Verschiedene Akteure müssen gleichberechtigt und demokratisch daran teilhaben. Denn wie die Digitalisierung politisch gestaltet wird, darf nicht vordergründig von wirtschaftlichen Erwägungen abhängen. Mit diesem Buch möchten wir zentrale Inhalte der‹Bits & Bäume› für diese gesellschaftliche Debatte festhalten." (Editorial, Seite 2)
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"The current trend for digital overconsumption in the world is not sustainable with respect to the supply of energy and materials it requires. Digital transition as it is implemented at present results from a considerable expansion of the direct energy footprint of digital technologies, with an annu
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al growth of from 9% to 10% according to the different hypotheses. This hyper-growth, occurring in spite of regular advances made up to now in the energy efficiency of digital devices and systems, is resulting in: The appropriation of a progressively disproportionate share of available electricity, increasing tension on the buildup of non-carbon production sources; The increase by half in 5 years of digital technology in GHG emissions (2.5% to 3.7% between 2013 and 2018) and a twofold increase of this ratio from now to 2025 (if data traffic continues to grow by 30% a year); Increasing demand for rare and critical metals of which many are essential for low carbon energy technologies, hence a risk of tension regarding supplies, exacerbated by the almost monopolistic position of China with respect to most of these metals [.] So that digital transition can contribute to reducing the global energy consumption of a system, it is vital to change our consumption patterns and integrating digital technology in our projects, by applying the following recommendations: 1. Adopt digital sobriety as a principle of action; 2. Inform and spread awareness; 3. Mobilize the lever of public purchasing; 4. Allow companies and organizations to manage the environmental dimension of their digital transition; 5. Carry out a carbon balance of digital projects to facilitate their prioritization; 6. Improve consideration of the systemic dimensions of digital technology; 7. Work at the European scale and with international organizations." (Conclusions, page 60-63)
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"This practical guide to sustainable IT offers a detailed, hands-on introduction to thinking about sustainable computing holistically; starting with the choices you make when buying technology, the software and peripherals you use, through to how you store and work with information, manage your secu
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rity, save power, and maintain and dispose of your old hardware. Suggestions and advice for policy makers are also included, along with some practical tips for internet service providers. Written by IT expert and environmentalist Paul Mobbs, the purpose of the guide is to encourage ICT-for-development (ICTD) practitioners to begin using technology in an environmentally sound way. But its usefulness extends beyond this to everyday consumers of technology, whether in the home or office environment. We can all play our part, and the practice of sustainable computing will go a long way in helping to tackle the environmental crisis facing our planet." (Back cover)
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"The purpose of this guidebook is to help develop the skills required to handle the growing flux of waste generated by the new and used computer markets for the benefit of the environment and public health. Problems generated by this computer waste are affecting the world in general and developing c
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ountries in particular. It represents the negative side of the reduction in the digital divide in a world where one billion PCs were expected to be in use this year and one billion mobile phones were expected to be sold. It also aims to support the emergence of new business opportunities. It should prove useful for NGOs and local development stakeholders in fostering small and micro entrepreneurships. The guidebook is available free of charge online. In addition, its open license will allow interested parties to create versions adapted to local condition and particular contexts." (Back cover)
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