Computer Science
Grade 11
20 min
Sustainable Computing
Sustainable Computing
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Analyze the complete lifecycle of a computing device, from sourcing to disposal, and identify key ethical concerns at each stage.
Evaluate the societal impacts of large-scale computing infrastructure, such as data centers, on local communities and the environment.
Define the 'digital divide' and explain how sustainable computing practices can either widen or bridge this gap.
Apply ethical frameworks to assess the trade-offs between algorithmic performance and environmental/social costs.
Propose sustainable and ethical alternatives to common practices in software development and hardware consumption.
Critique the concept of 'techno-solutionism' and its limitations in addressing complex societal problems related to computing.
Ever wonder...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
E-waste (Electronic Waste)Discarded electronic devices and components, such as smartphones, laptops, and servers. E-waste often contains toxic materials that can harm the environment and human health if not disposed of properly.A company's policy of replacing all employee laptops every two years, leading to hundreds of functional but outdated devices being sent to landfills or informal recycling centers in developing nations.
Digital DivideThe gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology (ICT), and those that don't or have restricted access. This includes disparities in hardware, internet quality, and digital literacy.A new educational software is developed that requires a high-speed internet conn...
3
Core Syntax & Patterns
Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) Framework
Analyze: 1. Raw Material Acquisition -> 2. Manufacturing & Processing -> 3. Distribution & Transportation -> 4. Use & Maintenance -> 5. Disposal & Recycling.
Use this framework to systematically evaluate the full ethical and environmental impact of a technology product or system. It prevents focusing on a single issue (like energy use) while ignoring others (like supply chain labor or e-waste).
The Precautionary Principle
If an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus that the action is harmless, the burden of proof that it is *not* harmful falls on those taking the action.
In computing, this applies when deploying new, large-...
4 more steps in this tutorial
Sign up free to access the complete tutorial with worked examples and practice.
Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
Based on the critique in the tutorial, which of the following represents the most sustainable and ethical business model to replace a 'free and unlimited' photo storage service that secretly sells user data?
A.transparent, paid subscription model where fees cover storage costs and data minimization is encouraged through tiered pricing.
B.An ad-supported model where more intrusive, personalized ads are shown to users to cover the high storage costs.
C.model where users must complete surveys and watch advertisements to 'earn' their free storage space.
D.'freemium' model where the first 1GB is free, but the service still analyzes and sells data from all users to keep the free tier viable.
Challenging
A city plans to deploy a network of thousands of IoT sensors to create a 'smart city' that optimizes traffic and energy use. Synthesizing the Precautionary Principle and Stakeholder Analysis, what is the most critical ethical question the city must address BEFORE deployment?
A.Which hardware vendor offers the cheapest sensors and the longest warranty?
B.How can we use the collected data to generate the most revenue for the city?
C.What are the potential, unforeseen harms to citizen privacy and autonomy, and who bears the burden of proving the system is safe for all residents?
D.How quickly can the network be deployed to start reaping the efficiency benefits for the city's budget?
Challenging
How does the common practice of exporting e-waste from developed to developing nations create a negative feedback loop that exacerbates the Digital Divide?
A.It creates high-paying tech jobs in developing nations, which reduces the Digital Divide by increasing wealth.
B.It exposes communities in developing nations to toxic materials and unsafe recycling practices, harming their health and environment, which diverts resources from education and infrastructure needed to bridge the divide.
C.It provides a source of cheap, second-hand electronics to developing nations, which helps bridge the Digital Divide by increasing access to hardware.
D.It has no significant connection to the Digital Divide, as the two issues are unrelated.
Want to practice and check your answers?
Sign up to access all questions with instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking.
Start Practicing Free