Sustainable Information Technology awareness

Abstract Information Technology (IT) is a key feature of the modern world and a core skill in education. However, the growing use of technology is at an increasing environmental cost. Estimates for a typical Western economy — such as the United Kingdom — are that the IT industry is currently producing approximately two to four percent of the national carbon footprint. To put this in perspective, this is equivalent to the airline industry. The converse side to this is the way in which IT can be the catalyst and tool to allow other areas of activity to reduce their environmental costs (see The Climate Group, 2008). However, where such non-IT impact is reduced then the result is to increase the relative influence of IT itself. Furthermore, the absolute impact will rise as the global digital divide lessens, allowing more people across the world to get ready access to computing devices.