Knowing the impact can be used to start a conversation, to reflect on choices.
Dr Daniel Schien is an expert on the footprint of digital infrastructure. We talk about his background – Informatics in Berlin, developing software in Australia and teaching computing in Afghanistan. His research has involved the environmental impact of the transformation of the Guardian newspaper. He also teaches teaching environmental management and is involved in Green Hackathon.
Talking points
I was always interested of questions of ethical concern
Curriculum was technical content but it was informatics so questions of ethics and intersection of computers and society, not just the numbers.
Understanding of the consequence of future business
In making a comment on the environmental impact of a service we need to be clear that we are not making a comment on its value from another perspective. …that technology might be liberating…we are not claiming that environmental sustainability is the only criteria that should be applied.
Systems methods of dealing with the complexity of so-called wicked problems.
How can you deal with this wicked problem with no single optimisation criteria
The goal is to make sure that communities who are often marginalised in decision making…when other organisations are dominating the decision making, marginalising some actors. There is a potential here to make a change for good by teaching environmental managers -giving them the tools to involve everybody who is affected.
The Green Doors was a project to see how can we use ICT to make other practices more sustainable
(Superhero) Because I’m a computer scientist I’ve got an understanding of the anatomy of digital systems, but I bring into this a passion for sustainability, and an awareness of processes in the social domain. That’s a good starting point for doing this interdisciplinary work.
(Success) Daughter.
(Activist) No, my work takes place professionally. Activist compromises professional activities.
Guardian, making a difference…environmental footprint, I hope that other organisations follow
Chance here to create more awareness for consumers about the sustainability implications of consuming these services…a decision support tool. Knowing the impact can be used to start a conversation, to reflect on choices. The goal is not to blame people, to make people feel guilty, but to create more awareness and understanding.
By exposing themselves to criticism they should be applauded while other players are shying of that risk.
(Motivation) Chance to make a difference
(Challenges) having impact from academic position
Miracle: The biggest environmental concerns I have are around transportation, domestic heating and consumption.
Advice: trying to remain cool and aware, not too frantic about trying to play academic game