Some new technologies (non-resource-saving technologies) bring the transformation of business behavior sand living habits, especially in information technology field. on the one hand, information technology has reduced resources consumption, but on the other hand, the sub-division of information technology for global market and network has offset those savings. Global divisions of labor have consumed energy and resources in transportation (long-distance transport of goods and commercial or private travelling). Technology upgrading has shortened the life cycle products, many of which turn to be rubbish in a shorter time. Meanwhile, fast information transmission has made entertainment convenient, but it is uncommon to see "TV is on, newspaper and magazine stands, network information is automatically flashing, however residents are napping in sofa". From the 1980s, some scholars began to put forward the concept of paperless office, but the goal is failed to be achieved, unsteadily, more papers are consumed .
Dear @Bao-Jie, it is a quite evident issue in many areas where new technologies were applied and its rebound effects. It is very good remark by dear @Arturo that Wirth's law is at the stage.
We have the example of rebound effects in ecology, ICT was also treated in previous answers.
I do bring two fine resources to the thread Consumption and the Rebound Effect and Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies on Environmental Sustainability: speculations and evidence (OECD).
"Measures taken to protect the environment often have other, unintended effects on society. One concern is that changed behavior may offset part of the environmental gain, something that has variously been labeled “take-back” or “rebound.” In energy economics, the rebound effect encompasses both the behavioral and systems responses to cost reductions of energy services as a result of energy efficiency measures. From an industrial ecology perspective, we are concerned about more
than just energy use. Any given efficiency measure has several types of environmental impacts. Changes in the various impact indicators are not necessarily in the same direction. Both co-benefits and negative side effects of measures directed to solve one type of problem have been identified..."
http://www.score-network.org/files/333_3.pdf
http://www.oecd.org/sti/inno/1897156.pdf
I observe that Technology is really neutral, but the effects are both good and bad depending on the human who uses it and who reacts to it. Here, the consumption of paper is a sensitive issue. For each semester, the college provides each of us just one ream of paper. So those who do research will find it really insufficient and we will be buying a few more reams by ourselves.
But if we don't work with softcopies, we would be using a lot more paper than we use at this moment. Just imagine the sending of research papers to Journals, from the initial to the final stage. So we did achieve that goal to a small measure. It means that we have to set our goal realistically when we aim for a paperless office. (Perhaps we must scale down our expectations from technology.)
The introduction of a green and efficient new technology can sometimes have an "unexpected" effect, negating the energy savings and environmental benefits that could be achieved: it is the rebound effect.
Buying a new energy-saving lamp, to replace an incandescent, we expect a moderate reduction in consumption. But this does not always happen unexpectedly. In short, without realizing it, because it spared, we can change our habits and allow us to keep the lights on longer home. And this is happening both in the private sphere and for large structures.
Outer progress is more- inner progress (mental satisfaction) is less. More turbulence in job market. Today one is hero, tomorrow he/she can be zero or vice versa.
Einstein always rode Bicycle, Gandhi walked on foot, Banting rode bicycle- They changed the world in such a way, human race has felt and will feel the effect.
In my biased opinion, I think that an underlying phenomenon in productivity and sustainability similar to Wirth's law is taking place in these areas.
I would also attribute paper consumption to otherl factors including regulation(people are always scared of a computer systems audit and therefore print documentation), workplace resistance, tradition, etc.
Dear @Bao-Jie, it is a quite evident issue in many areas where new technologies were applied and its rebound effects. It is very good remark by dear @Arturo that Wirth's law is at the stage.
We have the example of rebound effects in ecology, ICT was also treated in previous answers.
I do bring two fine resources to the thread Consumption and the Rebound Effect and Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies on Environmental Sustainability: speculations and evidence (OECD).
"Measures taken to protect the environment often have other, unintended effects on society. One concern is that changed behavior may offset part of the environmental gain, something that has variously been labeled “take-back” or “rebound.” In energy economics, the rebound effect encompasses both the behavioral and systems responses to cost reductions of energy services as a result of energy efficiency measures. From an industrial ecology perspective, we are concerned about more
than just energy use. Any given efficiency measure has several types of environmental impacts. Changes in the various impact indicators are not necessarily in the same direction. Both co-benefits and negative side effects of measures directed to solve one type of problem have been identified..."
http://www.score-network.org/files/333_3.pdf
http://www.oecd.org/sti/inno/1897156.pdf
The products of technology come from a variety of sources to get utilized in diverse end uses. The consumer will select what suits him/her and during the process of selection, awareness is much needed. Many producers took advantage from the general lack of knowledge by many consumers & from the impact of specialized advertisement on many customers. Seeking more & more profits has led some companies to employ scientists in R&D whose duties include manufacture of "attractive" but short-living products.
As for the last point in the question, reduction of consumption of papers combined with relying upon the computers for various functions have been obstructed by managements in the first place.
I think that the mess,going on, requires concerted organized efforts to "filter" & "advise" by many intellectuals in different countries otherwise there will be more chaos on the global-scale.
In the environmental debate it is increasingly acknowledged that our way of life has profound environmental consequences. Therefore, it becomes ever more important to focus on and to understand how everyday life is formed and how it changes over time. Changing technology constitutes an important aspect, both of changes in everyday life and of the environmental impact of everyday-life activities.
Technological change is often seen as an important part of the solutions to environmental problems, however, when technological change is seen from the perspective of everyday life, this image becomes more complex.
In this paper, technological changes are explored from the perspective of consumption and everyday life, and it is argued that environmental impacts arise through the interplay of technology, consumption and everyday life:
- Firstly, because technological renewals form integral parts of several of the dynamic forces behind consumption and thus contribute to the growing quantities of consumption, which counteract the environmental improvements.
- Secondly, because some of the technological changes are integrated with the processes, which change everyday life more profoundly and thus influence the environment in the long run. The paper points to the need for further studies of the long-term interplay between new technologies, everyday life and the environment.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800901001835
Thank you for your question which got me thinking. It is a really important research area. The book Handbook on Research on Sustainable Consumption looks useful (I am considering getting it for my own use): https://books.google.se/books?id=N07fBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=consumerism+lifestyle+conclusion&source=bl&ots=kxQgfgmeNe&sig=3KF1hgSVem3V7r-w_oDi-su7cEk&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=consumerism%20lifestyle%20conclusion&f=false
You might also want to read C.S. Holling's concepts of Panarchy and adaptive cycles and Lance Gunderson writing on same theme.
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