• Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • CCPA
  • Medical Disclaimer
Monday, March 20, 2023
Ector County News Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Technology
    • Crytpocurrency
    • Gaming
    • Gadgets
  • Sports
  • Health
  • General
    • Business Services
  • Travel
  • Press Releases
  • Popular
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Technology
    • Crytpocurrency
    • Gaming
    • Gadgets
  • Sports
  • Health
  • General
    • Business Services
  • Travel
  • Press Releases
  • Popular
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Technology Metaverse

Sustainability And The Metaverse: 5 Considerations For Preparing For The Next Big Tech Paradigm Shift – VentureBeat

by NewsReporter
April 3, 2022
in Metaverse
sustainability-and-the-metaverse:-5-considerations-for-preparing-for-the-next-big-tech-paradigm-shift-–-venturebeat
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

We are excited to bring Transform 2022 back in-person July 19 and virtually July 20 – August 3. Join AI and data leaders for insightful talks and exciting networking opportunities. Learn more about Transform 2022


Climate concerns have put sustainability at the forefront of business strategy. Organizations have had to consider not just how to conduct business, but how to do it in a way that makes the least impact on our climate. And while sustainable business models are nothing new, they are evolving to meet the pace of innovation and adjusting to the new ways we work.

The prospect of shifting physical work, life and play online into the metaverse is exciting. That process, however, will inevitably create significant demand for data storage. As enterprises prepare for Web 3.0 and consider how to do business at the convergence of emerging technologies, they may end up with massive online footprints that will generate an incredible need for data storage, which could lead to more products and more waste if not done thoughtfully. 

Herein lies the problem: According to a United Nations estimate, less than a quarter of all U.S. electronic waste is recycled, and the rest ends up in landfills — posing a severe risk to the environment. As enterprises figure out how to conduct business in the metaverse, the increase in data demands has the potential to heighten the electronic waste problem. Additionally, as the metaverse becomes further integrated with the real world, corporate enterprises will be faced with a challenge: preparing for the next stage of digitization, with its associated storage demands, while prioritizing sustainability.

How can enterprises prepare for the metaverse without contributing to environmental waste? This presents an opportunity to examine the sustainability of advanced electronics manufacturing, from the perspective of a data storage provider.

5 sustainability lessons for preparing for tech’s next paradigm shift

Step 1: Set climate goals 

Building a culture centered around trust and transparency that accelerates sustainability-related progress has never been more important. The massive amount of data storage needed to develop the metaverse might undermine sustainability goals, based on the rapid growth required. High consumption of non-renewable energy, waste production and CO2 emissions are all real obstacles to a sustainable augmented or virtual reality. As a result, enterprises should commit to sustainable initiatives and agreements that hold their operations accountable, and ensure they’re operating responsibly. For example, the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is an alliance between non-profit CDP, the UN Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature. Participants in this initiative are committed to combating climate change in alignment with the latest climate science. Enterprises aiming to reduce their emissions footprint can set reduction targets approved by the SBTi.

Step 2: Rethink your physical facilities

Participating in the metaverse can mean generating massive volumes of data, which brings up the critical question as to where this data will be stored. While high data volumes could result in the construction of more energy-consuming data centers, more local data centers may move their data into the cloud — minimizing the amount of physical data centers. Additionally, large cloud-service providers have been investing heavily in sustainable energy sources. For example, Google is aiming to run data centers on completely carbon-free energy by 2030, and Microsoft has pledged to do so by 2025. 

​​IT-related services, including cloud services, were projected to account for around 3.5% of global emissions by 2020. This all leads to hyper-awareness among enterprises around the sustainability of their manufacturing practices. 

Additionally, the last several years have seen solar energy advance from a frontier technology to a cost-effective solution for enterprises. By investing in solar facilities, enterprises can generate their own power onsite using a renewable energy source, drawing less traditional energy away from the grid and reducing their carbon footprint. In efforts to be more sustainable, enterprises such as Apple and Amazon have retrofitted multiple facilities with solar, and when combined with other renewable energy procurement, these locations now run on 100% renewable energy. 

Step 3: Review products and how they are manufactured 

Many businesses are developing product life cycle assessments to evaluate the overall environmental impact caused by a system of production, use and disposal processes. The goal is to follow a product’s timeline (production, distribution, use and end-of-life phases) and ensure full accountability and transparency. Every part of a product’s life cycle — extraction of materials from the environment, the production of the product, the use phase and what happens to the product after it is no longer used — can have an impact on the environment in unique ways.

Gradually, the storage industry has evolved from traditional local disk storage to also include cloud data storage. As more businesses migrate to the cloud, the data center industry has an opportunity to become more climate conscious. Cloud computing entails lower costs per gigabyte and higher data redundancy, so there are good technical reasons for expansion of the cloud. As enterprises work to advance both innovation and accountability, product-level life cycle impact assessments can inform strategies to effectively balance sustainability with the technological advantages of the cloud.

Step 4: Create a circular economy 

Unfortunately, large amounts of electronic waste end up in landfills and contaminate soil and groundwater, putting food supply systems and water sources at risk. The proper disposal of products can be resolved through the implementation of recycling programs, or by granting consumers the option to recycle their old products. By adopting product take-back programs to help customers recycle old data storage devices, companies can mitigate the risk associated with handling hazardous material and foster a stronger customer relationship. For example, certain companies have recycling programs that allow customers to ship old products back to the company for free or drop them off at local shipping stores to allow for an easy, environmentally-friendly disposal, with successful programs diverting many tons of waste from landfills.

Step 5: Educate and hold your supplier network accountable 

Annual sustainability reports also present an opportunity to be transparent about your company’s sustainability progress, which fosters accountability (“what gets measured…”). Modern supply chains can be complex and substantial, and a sustainability strategy focused solely on internal operations can miss very significant upstream impacts. That’s why supplier engagement on sustainability issues is vital to an effective sustainability program. Offering E-learning programs that provide training on sustainable business practices — in coordination with organizations like the Responsible Business Alliance, for example — and participating in joint sustainability initiatives can strengthen relationships and amplify sustainability progress at the same time.

Looking ahead

The connections between data storage, electronic waste and emissions will continue to impact the marketplace as regulators increasingly turn their attention to corporate environmental footprints.  Corporate America is at an inflection point where companies must be mindful about the way they do business or risk long-term headwinds. So as companies contemplate how to do business in a world that is demanding more data, more storage, and is generating more waste, we should constantly make sustainability a priority in the next big tech revolution. Because the metaverse may be virtual, but if we don’t find ways to reduce our collective footprints, its environmental impacts could be all too real.

Joshua Parker is senior director of corporate sustainability and assistant general counsel at Western Digital.

DataDecisionMakers

Welcome to the VentureBeat community!

DataDecisionMakers is where experts, including the technical people doing data work, can share data-related insights and innovation.

If you want to read about cutting-edge ideas and up-to-date information, best practices, and the future of data and data tech, join us at DataDecisionMakers.

You might even consider contributing an article of your own!

Read More From DataDecisionMakers

Related Posts

meta-is-working-on-a-web-version-of-its-horizon-worlds-metaverse-platform-–-the-verge

Meta Is Working On A Web Version Of Its Horizon Worlds Metaverse Platform – The Verge

by NewsReporter
April 14, 2022
0

Meta is planning to bring its Horizon Worlds social metaverse platform to the web, Meta CTO Andrew “Boz” Bosworth said in a tweet on Thursday. Being available on the web would mark a major expansion for the platform, which is currently only available on its Quest VR headsets. A web...

metaverse-builders-see-virtual-pets-as-their-killer-app-–-axios

Metaverse Builders See Virtual Pets As Their Killer App – Axios

by NewsReporter
April 14, 2022
0

A digital pet store might help sell the metaverse to the masses.Why it matters: Hype and funding have flooded into development of a 3D internet, but consumers will need help finding a way in.Driving the news: Pokemon Go creator Niantic revealed its next game yesterday, an augmented reality pet simulator...

meta-etf:-the-metaverse-provides-new-opportunities-for-tech-stocks-–-seeking-alpha

META ETF: The Metaverse Provides New Opportunities For Tech Stocks – Seeking Alpha

by NewsReporter
April 13, 2022
0

tolgart/E+ via Getty Images Investment Thesis The Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF (NYSEARCA:METV) is designed to offer investors exposure to the Metaverse. Emerging technologies such as virtual reality and game engines allow the Metaverse to take form and grow as they seek to expand the capabilities of a virtual world. Based...

animoca-brands-ceo-robby-yung-explains-the-‘open’-metaverse-–-the-block-crypto

Animoca Brands CEO Robby Yung Explains The ‘open’ Metaverse – The Block Crypto

by NewsReporter
April 13, 2022
0

Animoca Brands, the Hong-Kong based digital entertainment startup behind the popular blockchain metaverse platform The Sandbox, raised $358.88 million in January at a valuation of over $5 billion in a funding round led by Liberty City Ventures. In this episode of The Scoop, CEO of Animoca Brands Robby Yung discusses...

Ector County News Online

© 2021 Ector County News Now

Navigate Site

  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • CCPA
  • Medical Disclaimer

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • DMCA Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • CCPA
  • Terms of Use

© 2021 Ector County News Now

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT