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The environmental impact of digital technologies explained, featuring Julia Meyer.
Digital technology has profoundly altered our lives, providing novel communication methods, process optimization, and access to information and entertainment. However, these innovations demand considerable resources and energy for manufacturing and utilization.
At the current rate, digital technology's environmental impact is expected to surge by 45% by 2030 and triple by 2050.
Julia Meyer
Digital Engineer, France's Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe)
In France, digital technology contributes to 2.5% of greenhouse gas emissions and consumes 10% of electricity, with 79% of this environmental footprint originating from the production of smartphones, computers, and televisions. Contrary to assumptions, data centers and networks only constitute 16% and 5% respectively. Despite their power needs, the fabrication of devices significantly impacts the environment, accounting for 80% of their overall carbon footprint. Moreover, digital technology significantly affects metal and mineral resources, with an average French resident consuming 949 kilos of these resources annually. At the current rate, digital technology’s environmental impact is expected to surge by 45% by 2030 and triple by 2050. To mitigate our digital footprint, adopting digital sobriety by questioning habits, prolonging device lifespans, repairing when possible, and purchasing secondhand devices is the initial step.
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Julia Meyer
Julia Meyer is a digital engineer at Ademe, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency.
