Digital Pollution - part 1

Addressing the Growing Footprint of Technology and Digital Experiences

Understanding the landscape

The Tech Industry Challenge

In the age of digital dominance, where technology permeates every facet of our lives, the issue of digital pollution has become a contemporary problem. From hardware to software and social media, the digital footprint we leave behind has profound implications for both the environment and human cognition.?

This is a challenge within the technology industry, one that demands the attention of all of us involved in this field. In the midst of today's digital explosion, we find ourselves confronting new dimensions of human exhaustion and environmental degradation. Yet most of our discussions around business transformation and software design are focused on customer clicks, refining flows? for the ultimate purchasing experience, enhance employee productivity, and so on. Yet, amidst these discussions, why is the sustainability topic of digital product and digital footprint out of our contracts and engagements??

We've moved beyond just overlooking design for people; now, we neglect both human-centric and environmentally conscious design. Our focus remains fixated on profitability, while we disregard the social and ecological implications of our products and experiences. Despite being human, and inherently part of the ecological system, we fail to integrate these essential considerations into our design processes.

I would like to take a look at some of these issues today.?

The Environmental Toll: Hardware and Software

Digital hardware and software contribute significantly to environmental degradation. The production, consumption, and disposal of electronics generate massive amounts of electronic waste (e-waste), laden with hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium. In 2023, worldwide, it was calculated over 347 mmt? (million metric tons) of e-waste that will not be recycled.? Moreover, the energy-intensive processes involved in manufacturing and operating digital devices contribute to carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change. In 2023 was calculated a 3.7 percent CO2 emissions to be from manufacturing digital devices, which is equivalent to the emissions of the entire aviation industry. ?

While in designing software, the proliferation of inefficient code, redundant applications, bad experience design and data storage practices lead to bloated systems that consume unnecessary resources. This inefficiency not only wastes energy but also contributes to the obsolescence of hardware, perpetuating the cycle of e-waste generation.

Social Media - Smoking the Human Intelligence

Beyond its environmental impact, digital pollution extends its reach into the realm of human cognition. Social media platforms, in particular, have been implicated in the dissemination of misinformation, the erosion of critical thinking skills, and the manipulation of public opinion through algorithmic control.?

The constant inundation of clickbait content, sensationalist headlines, and echo chambers created by algorithmic recommendation systems have led to the proliferation of misinformation and the erosion of reasoned discourse. Moreover, the commodification of attention has incentivised the creation of addictive features designed to maximise user engagement at the expense of cognitive well-being.

The Child Mind Institute wrote this: “ Studies show that depression among teenagers and young adults has gotten more common over the past decade. Social media use has also increased during the same time. It’s hard to say for sure that social media causes depression. Still, there are several ways that using social media could harm kids.”

Read full article:? https://childmind.org/article/is-social-media-use-causing-depression/?

Towards a Sustainable Digital Ecosystem (first notes)

Addressing the multifaceted problem of digital pollution requires a concerted effort from designers, businesses, and governments.?

Designers?

Must prioritise sustainability in their creations, adopting principles of eco-design to minimise the environmental impact of digital products and services. This includes designing for longevity, repairability and recyclability.

As well as optimising software for efficiency and resource utilisation, furthermore designing to experience that matter to human cognition and not push users to impulsive shopping on purchasing flows. ?

Businesses?

Must adopt sustainable practices throughout the product lifecycle, from sourcing raw materials to end-of-life recycling. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs can incentivise manufacturers to take responsibility for the disposal and recycling of their products, shifting the burden away from consumers and towards those who profit from their production.

Governments?

Play a crucial role in regulating the digital landscape, enacting policies that promote sustainability and hold businesses accountable for their environmental and social impact. This may include implementing e-waste management programs, regulating the energy consumption of digital devices, and addressing the spread of misinformation through legislation and oversight. The new universal charge policy by the European Union (EU) requires that by December 2024 all digital manufacturers adopt a common UBS C-type charging port, for phones, tablets, keyboards, cameras and other portable devices. The aim is to yearly reduce 11’000 metric tones of e-waste and consumer consumption of 250 million euros in charging ports, in the EU.?

Collaboration between designers, businesses, and governments is essential to creating a sustainable digital ecosystem that minimises the production of digital pollution while maximising the positive impact of technology on society. By embracing principles of sustainability, accountability, and ethical design, we can pave the way towards a future where digital innovation serves as a force for good, rather than a source of pollution, exploitation and greed.