DoAssignment.ca

DoAssignment study guide

D1.1 · Describe environmental and health impacts of computing

Learn to describe environmental and health impacts of computing through clear examples and targeted practice.

Ontario Grade 11 Computer Science

Topics in Computer Science

ICS3U study topic D1.1: describing effects across a device’s use and disposal

Computing has effects beyond what appears on a screen. Devices require materials and energy; their use can affect people’s comfort and health; and discarded electronics can create environmental and health risks if they are handled poorly. For D1.1, the key skill is to describe these connections accurately, without assuming that every device or user experiences the same effects. This lesson follows a device through its life: making it, using it, and dealing with it when it is no longer wanted. Python code is not useful for explaining these physical and social impacts, so the examples use everyday situations instead.

What you will learn

  • Describe how making, using, and disposing of computing devices can affect the environment.
  • Describe possible health effects associated with computer use and with unsafe handling of electronic waste.
  • Use a concrete scenario to connect a computing choice with its possible impacts.

1. Environmental effects: materials, energy, and discarded devices

A computer, phone, or tablet depends on materials that must be obtained, processed, and assembled. Extracting and processing materials can disturb land and use water and energy. Manufacturing devices and moving them to users also require energy and resources. The exact impact depends on the device, how it is made, and how it is transported; avoid claiming that all devices have the same environmental footprint.
A device also uses electricity while operating. The environmental effect of that use depends partly on how much electricity it consumes and how the electricity is generated. Devices that stay on when they are not needed can continue using electricity. A computer system may also need cooling, which can add to energy use.
When electronics are discarded, they become electronic waste, often called e-waste. Some parts can be reused or recycled through suitable programs, but electronics should not simply be treated like ordinary household rubbish. Poor handling can release harmful substances into the environment. The Global E-waste Monitor 2024, published by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and partners, documents e-waste as a global issue. It is a source for understanding the topic, not a reason to assume that every item is recycled or disposed of in the same way.
A useful way to describe the environmental effects is to consider the whole device life: resources and energy used to make it, electricity used during operation, and what happens when it is no longer used. Repairing, reusing, or passing on a working device can sometimes delay replacement. Using an appropriate electronics collection or recycling program can help direct unwanted equipment to more suitable handling. These choices can reduce some impacts, but they do not make a device impact-free.
  • Making electronics uses materials, energy, and transport.
  • Electricity use and the way electricity is generated affect environmental impact.
  • Poor e-waste handling can harm the environment; suitable collection and reuse can help.

2. Health effects: people using devices and people handling e-waste

Computer use can affect a person’s comfort and health, especially when use is prolonged or the workspace is poorly arranged. Long periods of looking at a screen may contribute to eye discomfort. Staying in one position for a long time, or using a poorly arranged chair, desk, keyboard, or screen, may contribute to discomfort in the neck, shoulders, back, or hands. Long periods of sitting also mean less movement during that time. These are possible effects, not guaranteed outcomes for every person.
The activity and conditions matter. For example, a student working for several hours without changing position may experience discomfort, while another student may not. Taking breaks, changing position, and arranging a workspace so that it is comfortable can help reduce some risks. This does not mean that all screen use causes injury, nor that one adjustment prevents every health problem.
Health concerns can also arise when electronic waste is handled unsafely. Electronics may contain substances that can harm health if people are exposed to them, especially during informal dismantling, burning, or other unsafe processing. The World Health Organization’s report Children and Digital Dumpsites (2021) describes health risks to children associated with exposure to e-waste. This is a specific concern about exposure and unsafe handling, not evidence that ordinary use of a functioning device automatically causes those effects.
When describing a health impact, name who may be affected and how the situation creates a risk. A person using a screen for a long time and a worker exposed to materials while dismantling e-waste face different conditions. Keeping those situations distinct makes the explanation more accurate.
  • Prolonged or poorly arranged computer use may contribute to eye or body discomfort.
  • Unsafe e-waste processing can expose people to harmful substances.
  • Describe possible effects and the conditions involved rather than making universal claims.

3. Describe impacts with a clear cause-and-effect chain

A strong D1.1 description identifies the computing activity, explains the connection, and names the possible environmental or health effect. For example: “Leaving a computer running when it is not needed uses electricity; depending on how that electricity is generated, this can contribute to environmental impacts.” The explanation does not need an invented measurement to be useful.
You can organize your thinking by asking three questions: What is happening? Who or what may be affected? What is the connection? For an environmental example, the affected system may be land, water, or energy resources. For a health example, it may be a device user or a person handling discarded electronics.
Be careful with cause and certainty. “Prolonged screen use may contribute to eye discomfort” describes a possible effect. “Every computer user will develop an eye problem” is an unsupported absolute. Likewise, recycling is not automatically impact-free: collection and processing also involve activities and resources. A good description stays specific and balanced.
  • Name the activity, affected people or environment, and the connection between them.
  • Use careful language such as “may contribute” when effects depend on conditions.
  • Do not treat use, manufacturing, and e-waste handling as the same situation.

Worked example

A shared computer is left on overnight

A school computer is left running overnight even though nobody needs it. Describe one environmental impact and one reasonable response.
  1. Identify the activity
    The computer is operating at a time when it is not needed. It therefore continues to use electricity.
  2. Connect use to impact
    Producing electricity can have environmental effects, and the effects depend partly on how the electricity is generated. This example supports a general cause-and-effect description, not a numerical estimate.
  3. Suggest a response
    If school rules and the computer’s task allow it, shutting it down or using an appropriate power-saving setting when it is not needed can reduce unnecessary electricity use.
Answer: Leaving an unused computer running continues to use electricity, which can contribute to environmental impacts depending on how that electricity is generated. Shutting it down or using an appropriate power-saving setting when it is not needed can reduce unnecessary use.
Check: The answer identifies the activity, explains the connection to electricity, and avoids claiming a specific amount of energy or environmental harm.

Worked example

A student works at a screen for a long session

Mina completes homework at a laptop for several hours without changing position. Describe a possible health impact and a practical way to reduce the risk.
  1. Notice the conditions
    The relevant details are the long period at the screen and remaining in one position. They make discomfort a reasonable possibility to discuss, not a certain result.
  2. Describe a possible effect
    Mina may experience eye discomfort or discomfort in the neck, shoulders, back, or hands. The example does not establish that she will experience any particular problem.
  3. Connect a response
    Taking breaks, moving, and arranging the laptop workspace comfortably may help reduce some risks associated with prolonged use.
Answer: Prolonged screen use while staying in one position may contribute to eye or body discomfort. Taking breaks, moving, and arranging the workspace comfortably may help reduce some risks.
Check: This describes a possible effect and links it to the stated conditions without claiming that every long computer session causes harm.

Worked example

An unwanted tablet is dismantled informally

A family has an unwanted tablet. Someone suggests breaking it apart at home and burning the pieces. Describe the environmental and health concerns and a safer course of action.
  1. Identify the risk
    Breaking apart and burning electronics is unsafe handling. Electronics can contain substances that may harm people or the environment if released or handled improperly.
  2. Describe who may be affected
    People nearby may be exposed during unsafe processing, and released substances can affect the surrounding environment. The exact risk depends on the device and the exposure.
  3. Choose a safer route
    The family should avoid burning or informal dismantling and use an appropriate local electronics collection or recycling option. If the tablet still works, reuse or passing it on may delay disposal.
Answer: Informal dismantling and burning can expose people to harmful substances and release them into the environment. The family should not burn the tablet; they can seek an appropriate electronics collection option, or consider reuse if it still works.
Check: The answer separates the possible exposure risk from ordinary device use and offers an appropriate way to handle an unwanted device.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Claiming that every person who uses a computer will develop a health problem.
Correction: Describe possible effects and the conditions that may contribute to them; people and situations differ.
Discussing electricity use but ignoring materials and disposal.
Correction: Consider device making, operation, and end-of-use handling when describing environmental impacts.
Treating e-waste as harmless ordinary rubbish, or claiming that all recycling has no impact.
Correction: Explain that unsafe handling can create risks and that suitable collection and recycling can help manage discarded electronics.

Lesson summary

  • Computing affects the environment through materials and energy used to make devices, electricity used during operation, and the handling of e-waste.
  • Prolonged or poorly arranged computer use may contribute to discomfort; unsafe e-waste handling can expose people to harmful substances.
  • A clear description names the activity, the people or environment affected, and the possible connection, while avoiding unsupported certainty.

Check your understanding

Question 1

Which statement gives the most careful description of a possible health effect?
  1. Every student who uses a screen will develop an eye problem.
  2. Prolonged screen use may contribute to eye discomfort for some people.
  3. A working computer always releases harmful substances into the room.
  4. Taking one break guarantees that no discomfort can occur.
Show answer and explanation
Prolonged screen use may contribute to eye discomfort for some people.
It identifies a possible effect without claiming that it happens to everyone or that one action guarantees an outcome.

Question 2

A working laptop is replaced even though it could still be used. Which response best connects the choice to environmental impact?
  1. Passing it on or reusing it may delay disposal and the need for a replacement device.
  2. Replacing it has no environmental effect because it is a computer.
  3. Keeping it unused removes the materials used to make it.
  4. Reusing it proves that manufacturing and electricity use have no impacts.
Show answer and explanation
Passing it on or reusing it may delay disposal and the need for a replacement device.
Reuse can extend a device’s useful life and may delay disposal or replacement, though it does not erase the impacts of making or using electronics.

Question 3

Why is burning discarded electronics a concern?
  1. It guarantees that all device materials become harmless.
  2. It can expose people to harmful substances and release them into the environment.
  3. It reduces electricity use during the device’s earlier operation.
  4. It prevents any health risk from e-waste.
Show answer and explanation
It can expose people to harmful substances and release them into the environment.
Unsafe processing, including burning, can create exposure and environmental risks. Suitable electronics collection is a safer approach.

Key terms

E-waste
Discarded electronic equipment, such as unwanted computers, phones, and tablets.
Exposure
Contact with a substance or condition that may affect health.
Environmental impact
An effect of an activity or product on the environment, such as effects involving resources, energy, or waste.

Continue through ICS3U

View the complete ICS3U Ontario Grade 11 Computer Science curriculum and lessons

About this lesson and its review

Published by DoAssignment. This reviewed lesson follows Ontario Grade 11 Computer Science (ICS3U), expectation D1.1. It is a study resource, not an official curriculum publication.

Before publication, content is checked for structure, mathematical or chemical notation, calculations, course boundaries, and readability. Errors can still occur, so corrections are welcomed.

Official curriculum reference

Report a correction or ask a question