22. Environmental Sustainability and Moral Economy: A Computational Perspective Inspired by Indian Knowledge Systems

Environmental sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern but a central pillar in modern technological discourse. As digital systems grow increasingly pervasive, they also consume immense energy, contribute to e-waste, and shape socio-economic behaviors. This paper explores the moral economy underlying sustainable digital practices, with particular focus on how insights from Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), especially ecological philosophies from texts like the Arthashastra and the concept of Dharma, can guide computational models and software design. We analyze green computing frameworks, ethical coding practices, and sustainable AI, proposing a culturally rooted model that aligns moral reasoning with computational efficiency. The outcome is a blueprint for integrating moral responsibility into environmental sustainability within the discipline of computer science.