How does internet use affect ecological footprint?: An empirical analysis for G7 countries

Abstract

The study aims to search the effects of internet usage on the environment degradation in relation to technological revolutions. In this respect, G-7 countries are selected as the sample group. The link between environmental degradation and internet use in G7 countries is examined for the period from 1990 to 2015 with using panel data methodology by using AMG (Augmented Mean Group) estimator and heterogeneous panel causality. As a result of the panel results; it is found that the impact of internet usage on environmental degradations is negative. In addition, energy use and GDP per capita increase environmental degradations as trade openness and financial development impact on environmental degradations is meaningless. According to the panel causality analysis, the existence of a bidirectional causality relationship between energy use, internet use and ecological footprint. In additions, one-way causality relationship between GDP, trade, financial development index and ecological footprint is obtained.