5.3 Sustainable Development

From the Specification:

Sustainable development is a significant challenge in digital society. Sustainable development intersects in important ways with many digital systems.

Sample extended enquiry interventions

The following are possible examples of interventions that students might consider during extended inquiries into prescribed areas of this challenge topic.

• A science organization provides a live-streaming feed of ice-shelf activity to raise awareness of climate change.

• A company offers a 3D printing service for customers to design housing goods using recycled plastic.

• A digital artist promotes circular economy principles with an augmented reality app that visualizes the waste implications of common purchases.

These are examples only. Students should, as part of their extended inquiries, consider their own real-world examples and interventions to evaluate their effectiveness as well as to recommend steps for future action.

5.3A Climate change and action

From the Specification:

• Global efforts to address climate change

• National, regional and local efforts to address climate change

5.3B Responsible use of resources

From the Specification:

• Responsible consumption, production and distribution of products and services

• Designing for responsible use of shared infrastructures and resources, for example, energy, transportation and built spaces

5.3C Managing pollution and waste

From the Specification:

• Pollution and waste monitoring

• Pollution and waste prevention

• Pollution and waste reduction