On average, products are bought and trashed within 6 months. This short-lived product life contributes to a global 2.12 billion tons of trash, a number that is only increasing each year. While global efforts have been made to live more sustainable lives, individual wasteful lifestyle habits still persist and continue to augment our ecological footprints. In this current age, two factors could be central determinants of future energy and environmental sustainability efforts: digitalization trend and cultural differences.
With the growing rate of people choosing to interact online, digitalization has had wide implications on current energy and environmental sustainability efforts. Campaign techniques using social media platforms have contributed greatly to connecting efforts around the world. Meanwhile, the shift of manual to automated (i.e. AI) technologies has allowed for less waste and more efficiencies in both clean energy and agricultural sectors. Lastly, there has been a rise in using mobile apps, which are more accessible in all different parts of the world, to spur individual motivation and accountability in environmental sustainability efforts.
Culture will shape future energy and environmental efforts. The current generation has had more digital connections than ever through the internet and social media. In addition, this generation uniquely faces a plethora of problems not very evident before, such as climate change, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity. How do these changes impact how the current youth treat environmental issues? Moreover, do cultural changes create a clear disconnect from previous sustainability efforts? Delegates will explore these questions during panels and seminars led by global thought leaders and practitioners.
