Description:

Sensor-based technologies—driverless cars, smart cities, intelligent homes, etc.—offer a promise to transform the way we live. When viewed through the lens of sustainability, technology also offers a chance to significantly reduce our environmental impact as well. According to a recent study, just six industries could help remove up to 7.6 GT of carbon emissions by employing digital business processes and making data-driven decisions about resource use.

But are more devices the answer? With an estimated 50 billion connected devices by 2020, each transmitting data and using electricity (most of which doesn't currently come from renewable sources), are we solving one problem only to exacerbate another? The internet currently has a larger environmental impact than the airline industry and at its current growth rate is on track to become the largest source of CO2e emissions on the planet.

In this session hosted by USGBC-Illinois, we will explore the pros and cons of digital transformation through the lens of sustainability. Our presenters will cover different ways data and technology can be used to reduce environmental impact and better manage resource use while also building digital products and services that are both people and planet-friendly.

Presenters:

Tim Frick, owner and CEO of Mightybytes, and author of Designing for Sustainability
JD Capuano, Sustainability Strategist at Third Partners, LLC