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Welcome to the Digital Economy and the Environment Program!
We seek to foster an emerging field of research that examines the environmental impact of our digital lives.
Research Topics
The rapid evolution and adoption of digital technologies are transforming our social and economic lives. These transformations have important environmental and energy implications.
The Digital Economy & the Environment Program (DEEP) is a national collaboration of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, industry leaders and advocates focused on understanding and addressing the environmental and social impacts of the digital economy. Housed at the Environmental Law Institute, the DEEP builds bridges between science, policy, and community to ensure that the digital transition supports sustainability and justice.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing could accelerate solutions for clean energy, climate modeling, and sustainable materials by enabling powerful simulations and optimizations.
However, its heavy cooling and energy requirements mean its environmental footprint will depend on advances in efficient, renewable-powered systems.
Artificial
Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) enables computational systems with the ability to learn and improve their performance over time. As the scope, complexity, and application of these self-teaching systems grows they will increasingly shape how we manage energy and the environment.
Data Centers
Data centers are the backbone of our digital economy, enabling everything from cloud computing to AI applications. However, their rapid expansion poses significant environmental and social challenges. If they are not powered by clean energy sources, data centers strain can local power grids, consume vast amounts of water or emit harmful pollutants through their cooling systems.
We Take Pride in Our Numbers
10
Research Projects Funded
23
Researchers Supported
14
Disciplines
Represented
$2M
Research Dollars Raised
3
Partnering Institutions