Not so fast. Today, many people have started to jump on the band wagon that paper is killing the environment.
Well that’s simply not correct. People need to look at their own habits first. The next time you press send, just think about how that communication you just sent is going to get to the recipient.
Without getting too graphic, it involves fossil fuel, radioactive materials, nonrenewable materials and some of the most carcinogenic chemicals known to man. The infrastructure required to support electronic communications is huge. It is integrated with many other systems. However, many systems are specific to digital communications alone.
Start with the manufacturing of a computer chip. Companies like Intel and AMD etc. would like to continue to slide right by under their perceived green curtain. Many of the processes involve the use of very dangerous chemicals. The very chemicals which are made at chemical plants like the ones pictured in many environmental ads, and their manufacturing process consumes millions of gallons of water. Secondly, the transmission of email and web based communications requires massive amounts of electrical power. Third, the back-up systems and data centers require huge diesel powered back-up generators. In the end, globally, just the electricity required to power our yearly email and web surfing habits exceeds the total electrical consumption of Germany, France, Canada, Brazil and Lichtenstein combined.
Shocking!
It should be. Everything mankind does has an impact on the global ecology. We need to evaluate everything we do. Ask questions like, “Do I need that?”, “Is there a better way?”, or “That doesn’t seem right”. We all too often still think that “out of sight, out of mind” is OK. It’s not. Garbage dumping in the ocean went unchecked for years, until it started floating up on our beaches. Everything we do will have an impact on our environment today or tomorrow.
Our company supports the 4R’s. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Replace. The next time you look at a product, look to see if the packaging is recyclable. Support your local electronics recycling programs. Or better yet, see if you can first donate your old computers to some one who needs one.
Together, we can make a difference and that will only happen if we educate ourselves about our environment and our impacts.
Think Before you Press Send or Print!
