'Digital innovations threaten ecology'

Karachi University's Department of Chemical Engineering, in collaboration with the Institution of Engineers Pakistan, hosted the first international conference titled "Sustainable Green Energy, Environment, and Digital Innovations" at Jinnah Auditorium on Friday.

The event brought together leading academics, industry experts, and policymakers to address global challenges and propose local solutions in the fields of green energy, environmental sustainability, and digital innovation.

In her inaugural address, Dr Samreen Hussain, Vice Chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, highlighted a pressing issue that often goes unnoticed amid the rapid growth of technology: electronic waste (e-waste).

She added that in 2022, the world generated 62 million tons of e-waste, with projections suggesting this could rise to 82 million tons by 2030. Dr Hussain warned that while digital advancements such as AI-driven waste management and robotic disassembly methods are being introduced, the growing number of electronic devices continues to fuel the e-waste crisis.

She called for urgent action and local solutions to manage this growing threat, stressing that Pakistan has the potential to lead in e-waste management with the right policies and commitment.

KU Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi echoed Dr Hussain's concerns, stressing that environmental protection is one of the greatest challenges of our time.