4 Ways in which a digital boom can be fatal for the environment. Will it be a bane or a boon? - Written by Ishita Pal (Managing News Partner) Bisjhintus News

“In 2009, discarded TVs, computers, peripherals (including printers, scanners, fax machines), mice, keyboards, and cell phones totaled about 2.37 million short tons” as reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

This is only one out of the various hazards caused by the impressive developments in the digital sector. At this point, if the national authorities and the digital products manufacturing companies choose to ignore the negative impacts of this thriving sector, it is likely to be fatal for the biodiversity which includes human beings too.

 

DIGITALIZATION POSES THREAT TO THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

As much as the expansion of the digital sector is glorified, everybody fails to focus on the negative impacts of digitalization. Digitalisation in the developing countries which lack a proper infrastructure for e-waste management is bound to be disruptive for the environment in those nations. The production of digital materials requires a high number of metals, plastics and gasses which often get mixed with the water or air leading to environmental pollution and thus spreading fatal diseases for human beings.

 

MINING THE RAW MATERIALS IS A RISK FACTOR 

As per report, “Making a 2-kilogram computer involves extracting 800 kilograms of raw materials. Making, using and disposing of one smartphone requires 70 kilograms of raw materials. "The developing countries have a huge source of the required materials which has indeed added to the economical and social growth in these nations but at the same time the mining of these raw materials have proven to degrade the natural flora and fauna and also at certain places, the mining of these raw materials often requires the local population who are usually the indigenous tribes of the places to leave their native land and move somewhere else. This has led to conflicts in the sentiments of the people and violation of human rights.

 

HAS WORSENED THE INEQUALITIES

UNCTAD reports “only 35% of people in least developed countries used the internet in 2023 compared to 67% worldwide. A gender digital divide persists globally, with 65% of women using the Internet compared to 70% of men, according to the International Telecommunication Union.” This unequal access to the digital facilities has led to lower incomes, lesser access to the business sector and finance field. All these factors have contributed to a decrease in the GDP of the low and middle income countries. This highlights certain issues about openness, equality, and potential indifferences.

 

To conclude, the UNCTAD Secretary-General stated in Geneva “We talk a lot about how digital technologies can reduce paper use and improve energy efficiency and they can help cut greenhouse gas emissions in transport and construction, agriculture and energy sectors.” and also added “But the downside is not talked about as much,” she said, insisting that digitalization is “highly materialistic” in addition to requiring masses of carbon-rich electricity to boot. Yet to bring a light of hope and optimism for the future generations, the UNCTAD has published a report Digital Economy Report 2024 which proposes different policies and ideas to promote sustainability while simultaneously carrying on with digitalization across the globe.