SEMINAR - Digital Technology: Environmental Saint or Sinner?
Tyndall Manchester would like to invite you to attend the next talk in their seminar series “Digital Technology: Environmental Saint or Sinner?” by Professor Chris Preist, on Tuesday 26th June (room C21, Pariser Building, Sackville Street) at 1.00pm.
Digital Technology: Environmental Saint or Sinner?
Professor Chris Preist, University of Bristol
Digital technology is responsible for substantial
environmental impacts globally. It has roughly the same carbon footprint as
aviation, and is one of the most widespread sources of hazardous substances in
waste streams. Furthermore, its emissions are growing currently. However, it
has also been argued that digital technology can play a key role in the
transition to a low carbon society. Progressive IT companies are making
significant efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their activities, and
searching for new ways of supporting lower impact ways of living.
In this talk, I will look at the big picture and arguments
from both sides. I will also present more detail on how to understand and
mitigate the environmental impacts of digital services such as websites, Google
search, Facebook, YouTube or BBC iPlayer. Where in the system are the
‘hotspots’ and what can we do to tackle them? What are the longer term
trends in such patterns? What can service designers - both architectural
and interaction designers - do to mitigate these effects?
Speaker bio
Chris Preist is Professor in Sustainability and Computer
Systems at the University of Bristol. He leads a team of researchers who
combine the disciplines of Industrial Ecology and Computer Science. His
research partners include the BBC, Guardian News and Media, the Environment
Agency, the Carbon Disclosure Project and EDF Energy.
The seminar will take place in room C21, in the
Pariser Building on Sackville Street- number 12 on the map here http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/maps/interactive-map/?id=9
Please RSVP to Amrita with any queries- amrita.sidhu@manchester.ac.uk