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Peer-reviewed publication

Digitalization and the Anthropocene

By Felix Creutzig, Daron Acemoglu, Xuemei Bai, Paul N Edwards, Marie Josefine Hintz, Lynn H Kaack, 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

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.

Relationships among digitalization, equity, political agency, and planetary stability. Digitalization influences climate change and planetary stability, for example via energy demand of data centers but also via digital and artificial intelligence applications that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. Digitalization also influences social equity both within and between countries. Algorithms are instrumental in creating polarization and in shaping political opinion in social media. High levels of inequity and polarization reduce the feasibility of consensual climate policies and hence are indirectly relevant for planetary stability. Source: Authors‘ elaboration.

Read more:

Creutzig, F., Acemoglu, D., Bai, X., Edwards, P.N., Hintz, M.J., Kaack, L.H., Kilkis, S., Kunkel, S., Luers et al. (2022): Digitalization and the Anthropocene. Annual Review of Environment and Resources; 47(1), https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-120920-100056 .