Balancing Innovation and Environmental Responsibility in Digital Learning

Since 2000, digital learning has grown by an incredible 900% and is now an integral part of education. Thanks to online learning, education is more accessible and flexible than ever before, and anytime, anywhere learning is an accepted norm.

However, when it comes to the impact of digital learning on the environment, most of us rarely give it a second thought. And if we do, we’ll likely say it has a positive impact. After all, less paper and printing and fewer people travelling to attend classes must be good for the environment, right?

Those impacts may be positive, but that’s only part of the picture. The explosion of digital learning has also contributed to increased e-waste, rising energy consumption to power devices, and the use of natural resources to manufacture technology. Furthermore, our dependence on the cloud has created massive data centres powered primarily by electricity. 

As digital learning continues to grow, so too have concerns around the issue of environmental responsibility in education.

Today’s blog explores digital learning sustainability. We discuss how to balance innovation and sustainability and offer practical strategies for reducing negative impacts while maintaining educational outcomes.

The benefits of digital learning are undeniable. Learners from all corners of the world can access quality education regardless of location or socioeconomic status. Accessibility and flexibility are the order of the day, and personalised learning experiences are available to all.

Nowadays, even the smallest schools have digital devices, display screens, and projectors. Lessons are live-streamed, resources are stored online, and communications take place through apps and email. Behind the scenes, schools and colleges manage their own servers, maintain Wi-Fi, and operate complex management systems and other platforms. The bottom line is that education heavily relies on digital technology.

However, that dependence on technology has also resulted in unique environmental challenges. The energy consumption of laptops, tablets and desktops is a concern. There are also issues with the use of natural resources involved in the manufacturing process of digital devices. The unrelenting pressure to upgrade our electronic devices to newer, faster, sleeker versions generates enormous amounts of electronic waste that threatens the environment. And let’s not underestimate the impact of the infrastructure that supports digital learning with power-hungry data centres. The carbon footprint of digital learning extends much wider than you might have realised. 

According to a United Nations report, Ireland generated 11 million kilos of electronic waste in 2022, including laptops, tablets and smartphones. While Ireland has a fantastic record of recycling electronic waste, a lot still ends up in landfills and rubbish dumps.

Furthermore, electronic waste often contains hazardous materials like lead, cadmium and mercury. These toxic substances can leach into the soil and waterways, potentially causing health issues.

Manufacturing digital devices also impacts the environment. Each digital device is constructed from dozens of non-renewable elements, including plastics, copper wiring, lithium batteries, and more. The extraction process alone can cause significant environmental contamination and pollution.

Powering up the mountain of digital devices uses up vast amounts of electricity. However, that’s nothing compared to the climate-controlled data centres and server farms used for data processing and storage. Currently, data centres worldwide use 1-2% of global electricity. However, this figure is expected to increase to 3-4% by 2030. It’s estimated that the carbon dioxide emissions of data centres will more than double between 2022 and 2030.

Clearly, digital learning technology's environmental impact extends far and wide. The increased greenhouse gas emissions make it a global issue, affecting climate change, natural ecosystems, and human health and well-being.

Despite the gloomy picture we’ve painted so far, it’s not all bad news. There are practical steps every educational institution can take to minimise their environmental impact.

Here are five strategies to support eco-friendly digital learning.

Not all tech devices are created equal when it comes to energy efficiency. For example, Apple’s latest MacBook is designed to be more energy-efficient with an extended battery life and lower power consumption.

Switching to more energy-efficient devices, using power-saving modes and switching off at the end of the day can make a difference.

Moreover, implementing smart building management systems optimises energy use. These systems automatically adjust heating, cooling, and lighting based on occupancy and time of day.  

Likewise, upgrading to modern, more energy-efficient servers reduces your power consumption. The latest servers use less power while also delivering higher performance.

Other steps include replacing fluorescent bulbs with LED lighting. Not only does LED lighting last 25 times longer, but it also uses far less power over its lifetime. 

As we’ve seen, managing electronic waste is already a huge and growing problem. Implementing responsible practices for electronic waste in education is a massive step forward.

Educational institutions can start by reusing and refurbishing devices to extend their life and reduce the need for new products. You can also partner with established waste recyclers, ensuring electronic devices are disposed of properly.

Many tech manufacturers have jumped on board. Dell offers a comprehensive recycling programme, and HP’s Planet Partners initiative encourages the return and recycling of used HP hardware.

Educational institutions serious about sustainable digital learning are exploring the use of renewable energy. Installing solar panels provides clean, renewable energy for education.

Another option is to commit to green power purchase agreements with renewable energy providers. The provider offsets some of your energy consumption with greener, renewable sources. It’s a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint and demonstrate environmental responsibility in education.

Plenty of trailblazers are out there, including the UK’s Open University. The online university has developed a comprehensive sustainability strategy, including energy-efficient data centres, electronic waste recycling and the increased use of renewable energy sources.

Another fantastic example is the University of California, Berkeley. It has taken steps to integrate sustainability into the digital learning infrastructure with optimised energy use and electronic waste recycling programmes.

Everyone has a part to play in spreading the sustainability message and leading by example.   

Here’s what some of the key stakeholders can do:

Educators and EdTech developers: Teachers, instructors, and educators should incorporate sustainability into their lessons and raise students' awareness. Taking part in initiatives like World Cleanup Day helps students learn about the contributions they can make. School or college-wide recycling drives or energy-saving challenges promote sustainability while also encouraging a sense of community.

EdTech developers and instructional designers can do their bit by developing platforms and tools that prioritise energy efficiency and minimise resource consumption.

Policymakers: Governments and policymakers can incentivise sustainability in education with grants and subsidies towards green initiatives and renewable energy projects. They also have a role in sharing best practices around sustainable digital learning to inspire and motivate others.

International standards provide a valuable framework for educational institutions that want to get serious about sustainable educational technology.

The International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Educators is a great starting point. The standards offer a blueprint for the responsible integration of digital platforms in classrooms and ensure that technology supports environmental sustainability alongside improved learning outcomes.

IS 14001 and ISO 50001 are also relevant. These standards cover environmental and energy management and offer guidance on reducing waste and environmental impacts.

Other best practices include conducting regular energy audits, using virtual rather than physical labs, and promoting digital literacy so that students and teachers use technology efficiently.

Balancing innovation with sustainability isn’t just a nice to have; it’s essential for a more sustainable future. Hopefully, the practical strategies we have shared have given you food for thought about starting your sustainable journey.