Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

This paper investigates how digital communication interacts with the climate emergency. It examines a number of key characteristics of the digital era and how they impact the environment and climate change. It begins by looking at the premise of the commercialized internet and how it has impacted overall global consumption. It pays particular attention to the commercial surveillance function that allows for individualized messaging to persuade potential consumers. The production and disposal of the electronic items that enable the internet are also examined in terms of their contribution to natural resource extraction. The business models by which they are created and the duration of their utility value are also evaluated. Here, digital obsolescence unnecessarily drains natural resources in order to propel significant profits. This paper further looks at the total energy needed to power the digital era and how that will impact resource allocation. Expanding ‘needs’ for data appear to heighten energy use to levels that many scholars suggest are unsustainable. Moreover, the digital era creates and enriches a small but significant number of extremely wealthy individuals who contribute an elevated output of carbon emissions compared to everyone else. They also have disproportionate political capital in terms of policy influences, which challenges efforts to address global warming; especially the structural changes needed to address the crisis. The net effect of the digital era suggests scholars need to rethink the manner in which it is regulated and relates with the planet.