The digital technology age means a massive boom in devices and increasing energy demand, but it doesn`t have to come at the cost of the environment. The changes to our work lives and leisure time in the digital technology age have been profound – and with the coming of artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous vehicles and the Internet of Things, the pace of change will accelerate. Klaus Schwab, the World Economic Forum`s Founder and Executive Chairman, calls this the fourth industrial revolution and one of today`s biggest leadership challenges. One question is how to power this technological boom, particularly considering the need to protect the environment by using fewer fossil fuels. We need energy to produce those devices that drive the digital age, ship them around the world and keep them charged. When they no longer function – or we are just ready for the latest upgrade – we discard them, generating a potential waste problem. How do we then ensure that the benefits of the digital age do not cost us the Earth? The Internet of (even more) Things The digital revolution is transforming every aspect of our lives. Advances in technology and data collection are making the Internet of Things a reality as it is embedded into the environments where we live, work and play. The resulting smart cities will use technology and internet-connected devices to guide self-driving vehicles, improve public safety and deliver services more efficiently. At home, smart meters, smart lighting and connected appliances will help us to save time and use less energy. Businesses will be transformed by 3D printing, robotics and advanced manufacturing materials. Analysts expect this Internet of Things to number as many as 17.6 billion devices by the beginning of the 2020s. That number – the equivalent of one or two devices for every person on the planet – does not include smartphones, tablets or laptop and desktop