The role of ICT in assuring environmental sustainability

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) affect the environment both positively and negatively at various levels. At the most direct level, production, use and disposal of IT equipment is becoming a serious environmental concern. While by many measures the impacts of automobiles are much larger than those of computers, the short lifespan, chemically intensive production processes and content of toxic materials in a computer imply it has a significant environmental impact. There is much that is being done to deal with these issues, such as recently passed EU legislation mandating takeback and recycling systems for electronic goods. Much remains murky, however, about the scope and nature of the problems involved and what should be the appropriate response. There is thus much useful work to be done to realize environmentally friendly computers. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/8393