ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OF COMPUTING

Computing, Environment and Economy

Author: Odian Moore
Date Updated: Mar. 3, 2014
Occupation: Student (University of the West Indies, Mona)

OVERVIEW

This section of the website explores "Computing, Environment and the Economy". It is separated into four parts:

The first part talks about the effect of hazardous chemicals in the environment. Under this sub topic there is a very short informative video, this video list some of the hazardous chemicals found in e-waste. Stanford University has carried out some research, and they have concluded that even computer chip makers can reduced the impact the computing industry has on the environment, see the link below for additional information.

The second part of the web page will inform you about the impact the computing industry has on people. Under this sub topic there is a short summary about regions of the earth where developed countries dump e waste. There is also a video entitled "E waste hell", this explain the effects that e-waste has on the environment and on local residents within that realm. There is also a link that explains how the computing industry affects residents in China.

The third part gives three solutions to reduce the effects of hazardous chemicals on people in the environment.

The fourth part focuses only on the economy. It talks about the effects the computing industry has on economic growth (GDP). There is a link which explains this in detail. There is also a video, this informs us that the computing industry (robotics) boost economic growth.

On this web page there are several links and websites about the topic.

EFFECTS OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

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Computers contain several non-renewable natural resources extracted from the earth and processed, often requiring a significant amount of resources and energy. These include sand , oil, and several metals. The type of metals depend on the age of the components and can include lead, gold, iron, aluminium, zinc, nickel, tin, magnesium, silver, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and others.

Click Here for detailed information of hazardous substances found in e-waste.

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Some of these are becoming increasingly scarce and sometimes their supply leads to operations with social and environmental issues. Even though these chemicals destroys and degrade our environment they generate a large amount of revenues, for example the global tantalum capacitor market worth 2 billion dollars in revenues annually, this was written in an article by Phil Riebel, Environmental Consultant to the Pulp & Paper Industry.

Stanford University professors of various departments researched and concluded that even computer chip makers can reduced the impact the computing industry has on the environment.

Click Here to see how Stanford views this topic.

IMPACTS THE COMPUTING INDUSTRY HAS ON PEOPLE

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Now when a consumer is finished with his or her computer, discarding it poses a major problem. Discarded electrical and electronic equipment and components, known collectively as e-waste, are the most rapidly increasing sources of waste worldwide. Most e-waste are disposed in landfills.

A large proportion of e-waste is shipped to less developed countries for dumping or recycling, and even though this provide these people with a steady source of income, they should be more concerned about their health. This is a huge problem in China, and as a result of this the residents developed various types of cancer and respiratory problems.

Click Here for more information on how e waste from the computing industry affect the residents of China.

SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS ON PEOPLE IN THE ENVIRONMENT .

Toxic Use Reduction- Halting the manufacturing of bio-accumulative toxins decreases the amount of harmful chemicals used by industries and sold on store shelves today, thus reducing their impact on health and the environment. By adopting safer technologies companies can reduce hazardous waste to stop exposure at the source. An example is a closed loop system where industries recycle chemicals within their manufacturing process.

Citizen Involvement- Local residents, those most affected by toxic pollution, should be included in the cleanup process. Technical assistance grants should be made available to residents so they can have access to and interpret data and cleanup standards.

Permanent Cleanup Over Temporary Cleanup- When possible, toxic chemicals should be removed from our communities and permanently cleaned up rather than covered over or capped.

THE COMPUTING INDUSTRY AND ECONOMY

Even though the computing industry causes mental and physical suffering, they have changed how we see world. This industry contributes to a large portion of GDP in many developed countries mainly USA. So we can say that the computing industry plays a large role in increasing our standard of living but threatens our lives at the same time.

Click Here for a better understanding of this concept.

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