Sustainability in Tech: 6 Trends to Watch Out For

As the climate change alarm rings louder in 2022, technology will come to the rescue. Digital micro-degrees, greenfluencers, and green clouds are some of the trends emerging that will contribute to a sustainable future.

The year 2022 will also be filled with extreme weather events and extreme temperatures. As a result of climate change, humans, wildlife, and nature must face many challenges.

However, you can find some reason for hope despite the gloomy outlook, thanks to technological advancement and the accelerating digitalization of society.

People all over the world are beginning to realize how essential it is to take action on climate change and environmental degradation.

In order to make a successful transition, one must know how technology can be both an avoidable part of the problem as well as assist in the transition.

A recent report by Telenor has explored how technological advancement in 2022 can enable green transformation to achieve a more sustainable future.

In this article, we will discuss 6 trends to help businesses avoid becoming victims of the “great resignation” after the pandemic eventually comes to an end.

1. Data usage is driving an increase in energy demand. The rise of 5G will reduce energy consumption by helping data transfer.

With the digital revolution accelerating, cloud computing is experiencing tremendous growth. In order to move data, energy must be consumed, and it has been estimated that data centres consume more than 1 percent of global energy.

During the next year, edge computing is predicted to take over some workloads.

Data centres will be able to utilize excess heat and take advantage of sustainable power harvesting, such as solar cells and small windmills, to make data centres more energy-efficient.

The global 5G network is also predicted to be able to do local segmentation of data traffic to and from Edge Data Centers.

Edge Data Centers that are accessible from any mobile device on 5G networks will begin to appear at a faster rate in 2022 than they have done so far.

The associated energy savings also extend to electricity and data distribution networks since a portion of data traffic and electricity will be localized.

2. The employee base will not wait for their organizations to become climate-friendly. They want to learn how and take action right now.

People, businesses, and society will need to adapt to lifelong learning on sustainable development just as modern careers require continual upskilling. The demand for green job skills will also increase as a result of environmental policy and regulation.

There is a dramatic increase in the number of companies implementing green micro-degrees and courses in their “curriculum” to quench the thirst of their employees for green knowledge.

If companies fail to provide opportunities for on-the-job green learning credentials, they will lose the ability to attract new talent.

There are very likely to be several waves of micro-degree programs that have green shapes in the coming years. Increasingly, educational institutions are taking fundamental values such as eco-friendliness into consideration when designing their programs.

Globally, organizations recognize that UNESCO and the United Nations offer and promote online courses and degrees.

3. A mere 20 watts run the greatest machine—the human brain.

With our electron-devouring gadgets and servers, the demand for optimization has begun.

In spite of the fact that electronic devices and solutions are providing humans with more convenience, the International Energy Agency is calling for smarter and more efficient appliances.

Manufacturers of consumer electronics will have to compete for greater energy efficiency as the global demand for such efficiency increases. The number of devices with electricity now outnumbers humans by four, and that number is only expected to grow.

Because we will need time to transform our energy supply, we must optimize everything, including how we use our devices to use energy.

As of now, chipmakers are already competing to reduce the energy requirement of their products. As an example, consider the M1 chipset, which is used in Apple’s latest computer.

There is a high probability that this will be incorporated into the much larger PC market and give us more efficient devices that can run for longer periods on battery energy.

The competition for optimization expertise and assets is going to get even more intense as more companies put massive sums of money on the table.

4. Climate engagement among young people shouldn’t be ignored by influencers.

The vast majority of social media trends serve little purpose but to entertain, but some, like #BlackLivesMatter, bring about profound social change.

The recent disappointments of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and the disappointing outcome of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 6th Assessment Report are likely to lead to a refocus in the upcoming year, when a new trend is set to happen in the social media world: greenfluencing.

Influencers and activists pushing climate change issues have grown across niches on social media, and their following are sure to be noticed by elite influencers.

Many social media celebrities are involved in every field, from cooking and fashion to travel, makeup, and fitness, and can start to greenfluence their followings.

Whatever their niche, people will follow influencers who are known for their dedication to climate awareness. That’s where marketers will focus as well.

5. Businesses that don’t meet the next generation’s expectations risk being left in the dust.

Although there are benefits to working from home, including the obvious environmental impact we are having by reducing travel, research indicates that for young people, especially, the pros do not outweigh the cons.

As long as the pandemic continues, it will be difficult for the young to form social relations using only digital technologies and acquire a general understanding of corporate jargon and culture.

Due to this, several companies are likely to find that many young employees who haven’t been properly trained are having difficulty unless a good leadership style is applied.

6. Create a future-oriented approach to lead the next generation.

Make the office a fun and joyful place to work. Inspire social interaction across generations by hosting events that foster joy, conversation, and knowledge sharing. The experience you have gives you greater responsibility. Be clear that the company veterans have an important role in mentoring, training, and supporting new employees.

Promote workers; don’t be shy about reporting and publicly praising the newcomers’ efforts. Just as important, give them the opportunity to speak out and have their voices heard.

If you’re interested in finding out more about sustainability in tech and PCB Assembly, we’re here at Circuits Central to help you. To get started, give us a call at 1 (888) 821-7746 or contact us online today.