Environmental Issues in Internet of Things: Challenges and Solutions

• Main Author: Laura-Diana Radu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Danubius University 2018-02-01
• Series: Acta Universitatis Danubius: Oeconomica
• Subjects: Internet of things; environment protection; energy efficiency; e-waste management
• Online Access: http://journals.univ-danubius.ro/index.php/oeconomica/article/view/4250/4393

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging technology which extends the boundaries of Internet to include a wide variety of devices. However, the technologies that facilitate its implementation come with some challenges. Its effect on the environment is one of these. To reflect the interest in this field, the paradigm of green IoT is used in research and practice. In this paper, we survey state-of-the-art technologies and applications in this new area. According to previous research, the IoT is a suite of technologies that enables a connection between millions of devices and sensors. These technologies mean that more resources are used and that there is more e-waste; however, it also leads to new possibilities to help the environment and society through natural disaster prevention. Each IoT technology brings benefits by reducing the negative effects of the activities for which it is used, and by using it directly in environmental protection. We investigate the challenges of and the solutions brought about by the essential components of the IoT on the environment, in accordance with these two fields of interest.