computing and climate change Flashcards
climate change
global energy use has increased rapidly over the last 50-70 years
what are the 4 factors that have caused the greenhouse effect
deforestation; removing trees that remove carbon
burning fossil fuels
farming; animals produce methane
waste; gases released in landfill
what is jevons paradox
the increase in the efficiency of a recourse often leads to an increase in consumption rather than decrease
how does computing impact the climate
computing makes everything more efficient so its impact on the environment is a net positive
how has materiality affected the climate
atoms have not turned to bits (ebooks over actual books) however bits are also material but much easier to accumulate as they’re cheap and stored somewhere you can’t see
what is the doubling time of AI
3 -4 months
in what ways can computing help climate change
smart technology
digitalisation
AI for climate change
sustainable apps
technosolution myth
the idea that technology will create breakthroughs solutions
smart technology
maximise efficiency
e.g. smart fridge
what are some rebound effects of smart technology
cost of AI training
costs of manufacturing sensors
cost of maintaining and replacing infrastructure
why would AI not her climate change
we already know how to solve climate change but there’s just not political will
technosolution myth
sustainable apps
help people be more efficient consumers
what are some negatives on sustainable apps
people are constrained due to habits
small scale change wont help enough
digitalisation
computing is subject to jevons paradox
carbon footprints are pushed into computing
