The environmental impacts of digital products, services, experiences, and consumption have become an urgent concern in design, as their consequences – from energy use and e-waste to resource extraction – continue to escalate at an alarming rate. These impacts are multifaceted, extending beyond visible waste to encompass the hidden infrastructures and material processes that sustain digital systems. From the energy demands of data centres and the computational intensity of AI models to the mining of rare earth elements for device manufacturing, the ecological costs of digital technology are both far-reaching and accelerating. As the digital economy continues to grow, so too does the scale and complexity of its environmental burden – often captured under the term digital carbon footprint.

This interdisciplinary volume critically examines the complex and often-overlooked relationship between digital design, consumption, and environmental sustainability. Drawing on insights from diverse knowledge domains, From Bytes to Planet is a collection of essays by international scholars and designers spanning across design theory and practice, economics, environmental humanities, environmental justice, ethics, science and technology studies, and social sciences.

Divided into three sections, the book fosters an interdisciplinary dialogue on themes such as the environmental toll of the digital economy, the implications of digital growth (section one), design and consumption practices, the challenge of e-waste (section two), and emerging design approaches that address the ecological impact of digital technologies (section three).
By advocating for more sustainable approaches to the design of digital products, services, experiences, and patterns of consumption, From Bytes to Planet aims to inspire both critical reflection and meaningful action. It seeks to engage design researchers, students, practitioners, and scholars with a broader interest in design in examining the environmental impact of digital technologies and exploring how design can contribute to more sustainable futures.

Ultimately, From Bytes to Planet calls for a paradigm shift in the way we design and engage with digital technologies. Rather than pursuing technological progress at the expense of the environment, this book argues for an approach rooted in sustainability, equity, and ecological responsibility.