Digital Infrastructures: Building a Sustainable Internet Decal

Available this Spring 2025 in Film & Media

Building A Sustainable Internet is an undergraduate taught course that dives into the hidden environmental costs of internet infrastructures. It tackles the problem of how to solve sustainability while also balancing pressing issues of social equity around who gets access and the influence of geopolitics and security. The course introduces students to new technologies and policies that could make the internet more sustainable, equitable, and resilient for everyone.

This decal was created in Fall 2024 and will be held in Spring 2025 in Film and Media and in Fall 2025 in the Berkeley Center for New Media as part of the Digital Infrastructures Curriculum.

FILM 198 001 - GRP 001

Thursdays 6 — 7 PM | Latimer 120

When we think of the internet, we picture scrolling through social media, binge-watching Netflix, or dealing with lag while using campus wifi. But behind the scenes are the digital infrastructures that power our online lives—and their environmental impact. In this class, we'll dive into those critical systems, explore their hidden environmental costs, tackle pressing issues of social equity around who gets access, and examine how international politics impacts development and sustainability efforts. We'll also look at new technologies and policies that could make the internet more sustainable and equitable for everyone. If you're passionate about shaping a better digital future, this class is for you! We value interdisciplinary perspectives and interests ranging anywhere from environmental science, media studies, political science, engineering, to ethnic studies.