Technologically mediated practices in sustainability transitions: Environmental monitoring and the ocean data buoy

The discourses of sustainability are inextricably linked to the influence of technology in shaping the future. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in particular plays a crucial role in our understanding of the environment and human impacts as well as our search for future solutions to mitigate climate change. However advances in technology need to be accompanied by social innovation in order to meaningfully address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainability transitions research extends the well-established field of socio-technical systems analysis by paying closer attention to environmental, economical, social, political and technical factors that can stimulate change. Yet in order to offer guidance towards future socio-technical solu-tions, a deeper understanding of the relations between humanity and technology is necessary. To fulfill this requirement we explore the the concept of technological mediation and identify four ICT mediated practices in sustainability transitions: information gathering, communicating, decision-making, and self-reflection. These practices are described in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 14 Life Below Water, then elaborated through a specific example: the development and use of remote sensing ocean data buoys. In discussion we demonstrate the utility of technological mediation perspective to shed light on the interdependence of society, technology and the environment, and open critical discourses on sustainability transitions that can help shape equitable future alternatives.