ABSTRACT

Our world''s resources, and even the planet itself, are rapidly decaying faster than we can imagine. While many people debate the causes the effects are obvious to all: climate change, problem in the animal world, health problems and rising concern about sustainability. The question now is to what extent Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has impacted our world. In fact, what solutions has ICT provided to the prevailing problems in our world which we may refer to as development and at the same time what problems has ICT created in effect. Thus, it becomes imperative to ask: What are the environmental implications of the rapidly growing development and use of ICT with respect to sustainable development now and in the future? What policies should be implemented in the production of ICT infrastructures and use of IT for sustainable development? What implications or threat do the advanced ICT countries like United States, China and Japan present to developing countries especially in Africa, and India in terms of e-waste? These questions define the focus of this paper. The paper also contributes to awareness building in form of recommendations needed so that producers, marketers and consumers will consider environmental issues when producing, buying and finally disposing ICT components and resources.