Sig green virtual presentationv2

Socio-technical Analysis and Environmental Sustainability

Catherine Dwyer, PhD.Pace University

New York

Abstract The past 100 years has seen a rapid increase in

global population, along with escalating consumption of finite resources, such as clean water, energy, and raw materials. The multiple forces of population growth and rapid resource depletion have created a ‘wicked’ problem that MUST be tackled. The term ‘wicked’ refers to problems with complex interdependencies and multiple conflicting elements. It is my argument that the socio-technical approach to understanding complexity with Information Systems can be applied to discovering and evaluating efforts to support environmental sustainability.

SIGGreen Virtual workshop - Nov. 12th

We are at a critical turning point


1941

2004

The Retreat of Muir Glacier, in Alaska

Record rains cause mudslides in Rio De Janeiro, April 2010


Desperate efforts to obtain petroleum


Gulf of Mexico Oil Disaster, April 2010

Reaching limits of Nine Planetary Boundaries


‘A safe operating space for humanity,’ Nature, September 2009

“We estimate that humanity has already transgressed three planetary boundaries: for climatechange, rate of biodiversity loss, and changes to the global nitrogen cycle.”

How IS Can Impact Sustainability “We propose the IS community must engage in the development of environmentally sustainable business practices. As IS researchers, educators, journal editors, and association leaders, we need to demonstrate how the transformative power of IS can be leveraged to create an ecologically sustainable society.”

Watson, R. T., Boudreau, M.-C., & Chen, A. J. (2010). Information Systems and Environmentally Sustainable Development: Energy Informatics and New Directions for the IS Community. MIS Quarterly


The Synergy Between IS and Sustainability The IS skill set ports over directly to

Sustainability We (IS) analyze how systems actually work, not

just how they are designed Fundamental IS concepts are directly applicable

to sustainability issues, and provide ways to measure and encourage workable solutions Sustainability requirements analysis Socio-technical systems Supply chain planet earth Interoperability Distributed systems


IS Concept: Interoperability A real virtue in any information system, it can

be very helpful if applied to energy consuming systems

Make them interoperable so they can work with any energy source – wind, solar, ethanol, etc.

For example, Brazil is the leader in the use of flex-fuel, this concept can be extended to many other kinds of systems


IS and Brasil: Global Leaders for Sustainability Brazil is a global leader

in renewable energy sources (hydropower and ethanol)

Not just talk – in Brazil, it works!

Solution depended on interaction of technology (flex-fuel engines), agriculture (ethanol), and public policy (ban of gasoline-only vehicles)

This model works, and we need to deploy it around the globe


Ethanol distillery, Piracicaba, São Paulo State.

IS Concept: Distributed versus Centralized advantages and disadvantaged of distributed

versus centralized computing systems Advantage of distributed: more flexible,

efficient, and more responsive Advantage of centralized: better consistency,

quality assurance, and standardization


Looking at our current electricity power generation model


Centralized power plants produce vast majority of our electricity.But centralized power generation is very inefficient, converting only 30% of energy into electricity

‘Greener’ Alternative: Distributed power generation


Distribute multiple, smaller generators closer to power consumers. Distributed power captures ‘waste heat’ and uses it for other needs (heating, hot water), for ~80% efficiency


Co-generation, or combined heat and power

Distributed energy generation allows capture of waste heat for re-use

Co-gen project being installed: These tanks will hold hot water heated as a by-product of electrical generation


Tanks will replace a NYC apartment building’s use of 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel to make hot water


Critical themes for IS and Sustainability ‘Green IT’ – Minimize environmental impact of

the data center, and running technology in general

‘Green IS’ – sophisticated information systems that monitor and optimize use of resources

IS Educators – develop case studies, exercises, and materials that give students a richer understanding of intersection of energy policy, technical design, and individual choices

Green HCI (next slide)


‘Green HCI’ It is much easier to

monitor Facebook activity compared to daily energy use

‘Green HCI’ is needed provide clear and actionable energy consumption interfaces

These electric meters make no sense!

We need ‘Green HCI’ to signal actual energy use


Standard meter

Smart meter

Meet me in St. Louis! The breadth of topics in our virtual workshop

validate the critical role IS can play in support of environmental sustainability.

We have the skills and the duty to work together to improve sustainable practices

Next up: Pre-ICIS SIGGreen Workshop Dec. 11th


Technology

Sig green virtual presentationv2