The importance of reflecting on climate change has never been more urgent. The impact of human actions on the environment is reflected in extreme weather events such as prolonged droughts, intense storms, and rising sea levels. ‘Human influence has placed our species and our planet on two equal but opposite exponential trajectories—one of exponential growth in the name of human advancement and another of exponential degradation at the expense of our planet. Neither can be sustained if we wish to thrive, or even survive, on our planetary spaceship,’ explains Australian author Kathryn Sforcina in her book ‘Digitizing Sustainability – The Five Forces of Digital Transformation,’ which arrives in Brazil through an unprecedented translation by PUCPRESS, the publishing house of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR).
The work offers an in-depth analysis of the failure of traditional sustainability models, questioning the systems and processes that have led us to the present scenario. Instead of following conventional approaches, Sforcina argues that the sustainable practices adopted so far have not produced the necessary results to effectively tackle environmental challenges. The author proposes that the real solution lies in innovation, emphasizing the power of technology as a transformative force capable of driving real and lasting change.
Sforcina introduces the concept of ‘digital sustainability’ by exploring the ‘five forces of digital transformation.’ These forces, driven by disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain, have the potential to revolutionize how we address environmental and social challenges. ‘Digitizing Sustainability’ goes beyond diagnosing problems; the book also provides a practical guide to action. The author outlines key directions for businesses, governments, and individuals to harness the power of technology to build a more sustainable and resilient future, emphasizing essential priorities for real and effective transformation. ‘I argue that, ideally, digital technologies can help us deploy a planetary operating system capable of balancing the profit, people, and planet equation,’ she reveals.
Written in an accessible and inspiring style, the book is essential reading for those who wish to understand the crucial role of technology in building a greener and fairer future. Sforcina provides valuable tools to empower every individual to become an agent of transformation, combining ancestral wisdom, scientific knowledge, and cutting-edge technologies—all for the sake of creating a more sustainable, resilient, and balanced future.
