2020 will be a year of new technologies and global challenges that demand innovative solutions. The introduction of 5G and the maturation of edge computing will mean significant changes to the way the world sends and receives data. While they could unlock vital new avenues for content delivery, automation, and intelligence, their implementation needs careful thought to ensure internal systems are capable of handling the increased demand that these technologies enable. More data traveling through a complex web of interconnected devices and infrastructure means increased energy use by data centers, which usually means more carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. Expect data’s hidden carbon footprint to be atop the environmental agenda.