Sustainability and the information society

Two major transformation processes are at present simultaneously underway: the transition to the information society and global efforts to develop a sustainable way of life. Upon closer consideration, the concept of sustainability proves to be diverse, complicated and even intrinsically contradictory. Therefore this paper focuses on three topics: (1) the discussion of the concept of sustainability, (2) an examination of the current structural change from the industrial society to the information society, and (3) a description of the link between these two components and the resulting opportunities and risks for society and research .