Brainlag PlusThe energy devices and data centres use, e-waste and raw materials, how technology can help, and energy and cost calculations.
Energy, materials and waste
- Making devices uses energy and rare metals (cobalt, tantalum) that are often mined in harmful ways.
- Using them, and the data centres behind every stream and search, takes electricity, much of it still from fossil fuels; servers also need cooling.
- Throwing them away creates e-waste with toxic materials; only a fraction is properly recycled.
Technology can also help: smart heating and lighting, route planning, video calls instead of travel, efficient cloud data centres on renewable energy. Keeping devices longer and repairing them cuts the impact the most.
The rest of this lesson and its 7 practice questions are in Plus.
Screen 1 of 3, free to read.
- 7 exam-style questions, marked as you go, each with a worked solution
- Anything you get wrong is saved to your flashcards