The environmental impact of digital products, services, experiences, and consumption have become an urgent concern within the field of design. Their consequences – from the energy demands of data centres to the mining of rare earth elements for device manufacturing – continue to escalate at an alarming rate. As the digital economy continues to grow, so too does the scale and complexity of its environmental burden.

This interdisciplinary volume critically examines the complex and often-overlooked relationship between technology, design, consumption, and environmental sustainability. Drawing on insights from diverse knowledge domains and lived experiences, From Bytes to Planet is a collection of essays by international scholars and designers. It spans design theory and practice, economics, environmental humanities, environmental justice, ethics, science and technology studies, and the 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 practices 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. It also aims to explore 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 design practices rooted in sustainability, equity, and ecological responsibility.

An edited manuscript contributing to environmental dimensions of technology