Emerging trends, issues and impact Flashcards
Describe some negative impacts of manufacturing digital devices on the environment.
- Large quantities of raw materials are used to make digital devices - many materials are non-renewable, such as paladium and copper; others are highly toxic, like arsenic
- Mining for raw materials scars the landscape with waste and destroys wildlife and natural habitats
- Much of energy used in manufacturing process comes from non-renewable resources like fossil fuels - burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming
- Polluted waste water is a by-product of the manufacturing process
State some ways in which vast amounts of energy are consumed.
- Producing computer equipment
- Functioning/testing of equipment
- Recycling of equipment
- Through online data storage in data centres
Describe how the disposal of digital devices negatively impacts the environment.
- E-waste may be illegally dumped in landfill sites where toxic substances, like lead, mercury and cobalt, can get into the land or water
- Severe health issues are caused by living near e-waste dumps, or trying to salvage items from them
- Many computer components cannot be recycled or reused
- Tonnes of e-waste are dumped in developing countries each year
Describe how responsible recycling can address some problems associated with e-waste.
- It reduces the potential for chemical leakage / fires in landfills
- It enables the recovery of valuable metals
- It can reduced the need for mining
- It enables the recycling of plastic cases that would otherwise be decomposed into toxic particles
- It reduces the amount of harmful toxins released into the air
(Exam-style question)
Data centres use around 200 terawatt hours of electricity each year.
State why data centres need such vast amounts of energy. (1)
They need electricity to power their servers and keep them cool
Describe how manufacturers make it difficult for users to prefer to keep current devices over replacing it with a new one.
- Using embedded batteries that are difficult to replace
- Gluing and soldering components to make repair difficult
- Inflating the price of spare parts to make repairs expensive
- Only providing software updates and security patches for a limited time
The average user trades in their devices, such as a mobile phone, tablet and laptop, for a new model every three years.
Describe the consequences of the short replacement cycle.
- It adds to the problem of e-waste because redundant devices are thrown away
- More devices must be manufactured, with all the associated environmental costs
Describe how responsible ownership and use can reduce the environmental impact of digital devices.
It involves:
- Keeping devices for longer
- Considering buying a pre-owned device rather than a new one
- Donating unwanted devices to a recycling company or a charity rather than throwing them away
- Using energy-efficiency measures to reduce power consumption
- Reducing internet usage
Give some ways you can reduce energy consumption.
- Adjust energy settings such as screen brightness, and turning on ‘sleep’ mode
- Switch off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS when not in use
- Close dormant applications, so that they do not continue to run in the background / disconnect peripherals when not in use
- When buying a new device, choose one with a high energy efficiency rating
Describe some positive impacts of digital technology on the environment.
- Intelligent traffic control systems keep traffic moving and reduce fuel consumption
- ‘Smart lighting’ switches off lights when they are not needed
- Environmental monitoring ensures that regulations are being followed and prevents poaching and other illegal activities
(Exam-style question)
Explain one positive impact that the use of digital technology can have on the environment. (2)
Using the internet to work from home reduces greenhouse gas emissions because there is less traffic on the road
(Exam-style question)
The world’s data centres consume huge amounts of energy.
Describe two ways in which the environmental impact of data centres can be reduced. (2)
Any two from:
- They can be relocated to colder regions of the world, so they take less energy to keep the storage devices cool
- They can use a renewable source of energy, rather than fossil fuels
- They can use natural cooling systems, e.g. piped water instead of air conditioners
- The heat produced by their servers can be used to heat homes and public buildings located nearby
(Exam-style question)
Ethically, everyone should be able to access the benefits of technology.
Give two reasons why this may not be possible. (2)
- Some people may not want to use technology
- Some people may not be able to afford to use technology
- Some people may not have access to the technology/infrastructure
- Some people may not be allowed access to technology
- Some people may not be able to use it (e.g. disabilities)
Describe what is meant by the term ‘digital footprint’.
The trail of personal data left behind each time someone uses the internet - includes websites they visit, emails they send, posts on social media
Which third parties are able to collect and use personal data?
- Advertisers
- Health professionals / doctors
- Planners
- Employers
- Law enforcement officers / plant
