Impacts of ICT on the natural ecosystem: A grassroot analysis for promoting socio-environmental sustainability

As human beings are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, the relationship of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with the natural environment is continuously degrading. In the past, ICT was often regarded as a low-carbon enabler but its widespread adoption has adversely turned it into a power drainer. The negative consequence is climate change, which is a complex social problem with rebound effects on human beings. Taking cognizance of this problem, it is becoming vital for each and every computer user to contribute and reduce the growing carbon footprint of ICT. This work identifies and analyses the key contributors in diminishing the carbon footprint of ICT before investigating into the adoption process by end users via a proposed Knowledge-Implementation-Effect Cycle. The relationship between the key contributors and the adoption process by end users is studied via nine research questions to identify key limitations and finally recommend potential solutions to further help in reducing the ICT carbon footprint. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.