Computing for the Future of the
Planet
Summary
Computing
(computers,
communications, applications) will make a major and crucial
contribution to ensuring a sustainable future for society and
the planet. Computing is an important tool that will enable
developing societies to improve their standard of living
without undue impact on the environment. At the same time, it
will enhance the ability of developed societies to maintain
their economic success while reducing their use of natural
resources. The greater wealth generated using computing may
reduce population growth and its problematic impact on the
physical world.
There are four levels at which I foresee
innovation-driven developments in computing being effective:
1 Simulation and modelling are important tools which will help
predict global warming and its effects. Much more powerful
computers, interconnection systems, and algorithms are required
to make the predictions better, more accurate, and relevant.
This is a traditional role for computing.
2 The amount of infrastructure making up the digital world is
continuing to grow rapidly and starting to consume significant
energy resources. In future this infrastructure has to be
absolutely dependable and implemented in very energy efficient
ways. It should also be operational only when delivering a
service for some real end-use. Otherwise it should be switched
off; and off means off. New architectures which monitor the use
of energy precisely and can turn systems on and off rapidly are
required.
3 Computing will play a key part in optimising use of resources
in the physical world. This can be achieved by actively sensing
the environment and using new algorithms to optimise cost
functions which reflect natural resources in sectors such as
transport or water management. New approaches to global-scale
monitoring, generation of information, and interpretation are
needed, together with technological and legislative frameworks
governing the use of such data.
4 We are experiencing a shift to the digital world in our daily
lives as witnessed by the wide scale adoption of the world wide
web. In future there may be an even greater change so that the
primary way we operate for the purposes of wealth creation and
entertainment is in cyberspace. This will reduce the impact of
our activities on the physical world while allowing societies to
grow sustainably. New tools, environments, and infrastructures
need to be conceived which will make an accelerated shift to a
digital world enticing for us all.
To help generate momentum and achieve these goals, it is
important that a co-ordinated set of challenging international
projects are instigated. An example of a project would be the
creation of a "personal energy meter". This would measure and
present an individuals use of energy (both direct and indirect)
at all times. The implementation method for such projects
requires the reduction (or removal) of the conventional legal
barriers to collaboration.
Andy Hopper
17 May 2007
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