Environmental Impact of Technology

Consider the statement ‘Computers damage the environment’, thinking about the
particular types of damage being done e.g. health, energy use, resources,
recycling.

While computers undoubtedly enrich our lives, there is a downside. One serious
problem is their negative impact on the environment. Consider the ways in which
computer manufacture, use and disposal harm the environment.

Suggest ways in which the damage computers cause to the environment can be
reduced. (Activity 6.2.1)

The negative impact of computers on the environment.

 Complete this table.

Area Issue Ways of limiting the environmental impact

Manufacture

Usage
Area Issue Ways of limiting the environmental impact
Disposal
It’s not all bad – computers are also helping to safeguard the environment, for
example by reducing traffic congestion and air pollution in cities.

Watch the CSTA video: ‘Computer Science and the Environment’ and find examples
of how computers are helping to safeguard the environment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQdmj6njzzw. (Activity 6.2.2)

Activity 6.2.2
Ways in which computers are helping to safeguard the environment

 Research the ways in which computers help to safeguard the environment then
fill in this table.

Computers are being used to… For example

Collect and analyse data about aspects of the
environment, enabling us to get a better
understanding of how the environment works,
predict trends, manage scarce resources and plan
ahead.
Protect wildlife.

Deal with forces of nature

Develop low-impact alternatives to current

activities that harm the environment.

Consider ways in which computing technology is

having a positive impact on people’s health such as
monitoring the impact of new drugs, medical
record keeping, robotic surgery, life support and
monitoring systems, diagnosis by expert systems,
MRI scanning, 3D printing of body parts, web-
connected biometric devices, health promotion
campaigns and etc
Consider the statement. ‘Computers are the environment’s number one
enemy.’

As budding computer scientists, students are expected to have an awareness of the

impact computers have on individuals, society and the environment and be able to
express an informed opinion. There may well be an extended question in the Paper
1 of Computer Science exam on some aspect of this topic. They are easy to spot
because questions like this usually start with the command word ‘Discuss’!

Students to write an essay for the statement.

Discuss the statement ‘Computers are the environment’s number one

enemy.’[6 marks]

Construct a balanced response to the statement, considering the benefits as well as

the downsides, and taking into account what can be done to reduce the latter.

[use the space below to type your answer]

Research starting points:

 ‘Calculating the 'day after tomorrow'’, CS4FN – Short article on how computers
are being used to predict the effect of climate change
http://www.cs4fn.org/geography/climate.php

 ‘Computing for the future of the planet’ article in ElectronicsWeekly.com

http://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/information-
technology/computing-for-the-future-of-the-planet-2009-07/

 ‘Everything connected: the smart home in 2014’, article in the Telegraph 11 May
2014
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10542550/Everything-
connected-the-smart-home-in-2014.html

 ‘How to Classify a Million Galaxies in Three Weeks’, Time

 http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1975296,00.html

 ‘Tsunami Early Warning system’, CWarn.org

http://cwarn.org

 Google global impact awards – Digital Eyes and Ears for Wildlife Protection,
https://impactchallenge.withgoogle.com/uk2013

Watch the CSTA video ‘Computer Science and Medicine’ (first 90 secs).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_SMo-o2on8