Digitalization and the Anthropocene

Creutzig F., Acemoglu D., Bai X., Edwards P. N., Hintz M. J., Kaack L. H., ...Daha Fazla

ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES, cilt.47, ss.479-509, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
  • Cilt numarası: 47
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1146/annurev-environ-120920-100056
  • Dergi Adı: ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, PASCAL, CAB Abstracts, Compendex, Environment Index, Greenfile, INSPEC, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, DIALNET
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.479-509
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Anthropocene, digitalization, artificial intelligence, planetary stability, leverage points, trust, CIRCULAR ECONOMY, DEMAND RESPONSE, ENERGY, MACHINE, TECHNOLOGIES, LABOR, POWER, WORK, WILL, ICT
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Great claims have been made about the benefits of dematerialization in a digital service economy. However, digitalization has historically increased environmental impacts at local and planetary scales, affecting labor markets, resource use, governance, and power relationships. Here we study the past, present, and future of digitalization through the lens of three interdependent elements of the Anthropocene: (a) planetary boundaries and stability, (b) equity within and between countries, and (c) human agency and governance, mediated via (i) increasing resource efficiency, (ii) accelerating consumption and scale effects, (iii) expanding political and economic control, and (iv) deteriorating social cohesion. While direct environmental impacts matter, the indirect and systemic effects of digitalization are more profoundly reshaping the relationship between humans, technosphere and planet. We develop three scenarios: planetary instability, green but inhumane, and deliberate for the good. We conclude with identifying leverage points that shift human-digital-Earth interactions toward sustainability.