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Creating a Cleaner Earth


Human activity produces approximately 30 billion tons of Carbon Dioxide that is released into the atmosphere each year, most notably the burning of fossil fuels serves as a major contributor to the increasing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions (EPA). Even more troublesome is the rate at which Carbon Dioxide emissions are increasing thus causing the Earths climate to change. Since the pre-industrial period, Carbon Dioxide emissions have increased by 40% (EPA). Electronics manufacturers are located across the world and ship globally, significantly contributing the amount of Carbon Dioxide being emitted. Due to lower cost, higher availability of materials, and a large workforce China has emerged as one of the main countries for manufacturing consumer electronics. As of 2005, China exported $268 Billion worth of electronic information related products. Additionally, many developed countries export their electronic waste to lesser-developed countries further adding to the increasing amounts of Carbon Dioxide.

As the amount of Carbon Dioxide being emitted increases, the atmosphere becomes unable to cycle it out thus creating a buildup of Carbon Dioxide. Simply put, this buildup causes the atmosphere to retain heat resulting in global warming and climate change. As the Earths temperature rises, so will the Earths water temperature, which can be detrimental to our ability to produce energy. “The colder the water, the more efficient the generator. Thus, higher air and water temperatures could reduce the efficiency with which these plants convert fuel to electricity” (EPA). We as consumers are perpetuating the problem of higher levels of fossil fuels by not only increasing our demand for electronic products but by also increasing energy consumption. According to the Energy Information Administration electronic devices account for approximately 15% of a households energy consumption. As the demand for electronics increases, the amount of global shipments also increases causing excessive amounts of fossil fuels to be emitted during the transportation of these goods. Furthermore, as energy consumption increases the amount of energy that fossil fuel based energy plants must produce also increases, therefore causing an influx of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere.

Climate change has the potential to change the way we use energy. The average power plant requires 25 gallons of water to be taken from rivers and lakes per one kilowatt-hour of electricity (EPA). Less rainfall combined with higher temperatures resulting in increased amounts of precipitation has an adverse effect on energy production and creates a strain on water supplies. The effects of climate change are far reaching and go beyond how we as consumers use electricity; ultimately we are causing irreversible damage to the world that we live in and its natural habitats.

Whether big or small, consumers and corporations can collectively help reduce the carbon footprint of the electronics we enjoy and create a cleaner Earth. For starters, reconsider upgrading your electronic devices until it’s absolutely necessary. As tempting as it is to have the newest phone or television, upgrading responsibly will help lower the amount of e waste. Secondly, Recycle. Whether that means giving your old but operable electronic devices to a friend or charity or turning them into an electronics recycling center. Do your research, some companies send e waste to other countries where they are disposed of improperly; shipping e-waste abroad not only increases the carbon footprint of our electronic devices but also allows toxic chemicals to pollute our earth. To learn more about responsible recyclying visit http://www.iaer.org/.

On a much larger scale, the use of renewable energy to meet our internet energy demands can dramatically decrease the damage caused by electronic devices and the energy use associated with them. Companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook have pledged to transition into powering their data centers using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. At the government level, provide incentives for insourcing, bringing tech and manufacturing jobs back to the United States. In 2013 Apple announced that they would be bringing some of the manufacturing jobs back to the United States. Given the right circumstances, more companies will be able to follow in Apple's footsteps. Manufacturing plants located throughout the world will help reduce the carbon footprint involved with shipping globally.

Manufacturers should consider investing more resources towards creating electronics that are designed to last longer. Technology companies manufacture products that quickly become outdated or are made obsolete by introducing new models. EPEAT is a company devoted to creating "A world where the negative environmental and social impacts of electronics are continually reduced, and electronic products are designed to accelerate the world's transition to sustainability". They work to provide a rating system for electronics that allows consumers to purchase environmentally friendly products which is a win, win. The environment will suffer a little bit less and responsible manufacturers will benefit as well. For more information about EPEAT visit http://www.epeat.net/. Additionally, we need to create a domestic market for e-waste such as reusing recycled electronic parts in the manufacturing of new products, all done within the same country that the electronic devices were manufactured and used.

Work Cited:

"Causes of Climate Change." EPA. N.p., 14 Mar. 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.

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