Short Abstract

This panel seeks papers that aim to extend environmental ethic principles to the digital realm with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa’s digital eco-systems.

Long Abstract

The rapid growth of digital technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa has significant implications on environment, including e-waste, energy consumption, and digital infrastructure’s ecological footprint. Despite growing concerns about digital sustainability, the unique challenges and opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa countries remain underexplored. Existing literatures on digital sustainability have focused primarily on Global North contexts, neglecting Sub-Saharan Africa’s specific socio-environmental dynamics and philosophical tradition. This brings about the need to contextualize eco-ethics for digital spaces in the region. Therefore, this panel seeks papers that investigate the environmental impact of digital technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa, including e-waste, energy consumption, and digital infrastructure’s ecological footprint. Develop an eco-ethical framework for digital spaces, drawing on African philosophical traditions and environmental ethics; and explore strategies for promoting digital sustainability and responsible innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, papers would seek answers to the following questions and more: What are the key environmental impacts of digital technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa, and how do they intersect with local socio-environmental contexts? How can African philosophical traditions inform an eco-ethical framework for digital spaces? What strategies can promote digital sustainability and responsible innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa’s digital eco-systems? Papers are expected to contribute to a more sustainable digital future in Sub-Saharan Africa, aligning with global sustainability goals

This Panel has 4 pending paper proposals.
Propose paper