The Internet of Things Will Create a More Sustainable World by Tony Scherba presents a highly positive glimpse into future of the Internet of Things (IoT). But hold on, what is IoT you might ask? Scherba’s response might be “the future,” and I agree, but to clarify, IoT is the interconnected network of electronic products with sensors that are capable of connecting to the Internet or other objects. Why is this important? Sure controlling your toaster from your phone is neat, but why does it show promise for a sustainable future? Scherba explains it is because IoT is not just about hacking things to make cool personal projects, it presents an enormous opportunity to connect systems, solve large-scale problems, and save precious resources such as time, money and energy.
Let’s look at a few examples of how Scherba thinks IoT can change systems in our lives and talk about how they relate back to sustainable design principles. The first potential IoT use Scherba offers is to “reduce the amount of e-waste across the board.” (Scherba). If companies producing hardware had a way of tracking the lifespan of their electronic components, they receive a notification when the component is headed for the landfill and whether or not it can be salvaged. This would curb the environmental pollution coming from the electronics industry and would save producers trillions of dollars. This example supports the idea of the circular economy, “a system where waste is re-purposed, or (ideally) eliminated from the manufacturing process entirely.” (Tan). The reusability of products is something I discussed earlier, and in my opinion, IoT is making great strides to support the idea that renewability should be a focus of design.
IoT is also sustainable in a way that can directly save us resources such as time and energy. If sensors were able t alert drivers of vacant parking spots in major cities, fuel and time could be conserved, and pollution would be reduced. (Scherba). This paints the picture in my head of a utopian society where every aspect of our lives is integrated with IoT, allowing for maximum efficiency. If we were to connect all of our devices to the IoT network, the resulting cognitive surplus could be used to revolutionize how we operate. Clay Shirky explains that the Internet changed economics, in that everyone pays for access to the Internet and then everyone can use it. Anyone that subscribes and abides by the rules of the network can be a “full-fledged member.” (Shirky 56) The future of IoT works under the same assumption, if you employ your devices, you can have access to the entire network.
IoT offers an interesting approach to sustainability in the near future. It capitalizes on the idea that the more data we have, the fewer mistakes we will make and resources we will exhaust. It exemplifies my hypothesized sixth principle of design – renewability – and challenges the belief that we have to create waste and repair or buy new products by proposing an emphasis on reusability.
Works Cited
Scherba, Tony. "The Internet Of Things Will Create A More Sustainable World". Yeti.co. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
Shirky, Clay. Cognitive Surplus: Creativity and Generosity in a Connected Age. New York: Penguin, 2010. 42-64. Print.
Tan, Joy. "How the Internet of Things Will Boost Sustainability." Web log post. LinkedIn.com. LinkedIn, 6 Aug. 2015. Web. 13 Oct. 2106. <https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how- internet- things-boost-sustainability-joy-tan>.
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