Digitalization and the Anthropocene

  • 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.

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Metadaten
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Author(s):Felix Creutzig, Daron Acemoglu, Xuemei Bai, Paul N. Edwards, Marie Josefine Hintz, Lynn KaackORCiD, Siir Kilkis, Stefanie Kunkel, Amy Luers, Nikola Milojevic-Dupont, Dave Rejeski, Jürgen Renn, David Rolnick, Christoph Rosol, Daniela Russ, Thomas Turnbull, Elena Verdolini, Felix Wagner, Charlie Wilson, Aicha Zekar, Marius Zumwald
Parent Title (English):Annual Review of Environment and Resources
Publication year:2022
Publishing Institution:Hertie School
First Page:479
Last Page:509
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-120920-100056
Release Date:2023/05/04
Volume:47
AY 22/23:AY 22/23
Licence of document (German):Metadaten / metadata
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