ENGLISH

Computers and the Environment: Understanding and Managing their Impacts

By Ruediger Kuehr , German T. Velasquez (auth.) , Eric Williams (eds.)

Book information

Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Year
2003
ISBN
978-1-4020-1680-6, 978-94-010-0033-8
DOI
10.1007/978-94-010-0033-8
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
9 MB (9765871 bytes)
Series
Eco-Efficiency in Industry and Science 14
Edition
1
Pages
285\284
Orientation
yes
Scanned
yes
Time added
2013-08-01 04:00:00
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pol

Description

Personal computers have made life convenient in many ways, but what about their impacts on the environment due to production, use and disposal? Manufacturing computers requires prodigious quantities of fossil fuels, toxic chemicals and water. Rapid improvements in performance mean we often buy a new machine every 1-3 years, which adds up to mountains of waste computers. How should societies respond to manage these environmental impacts? This volume addresses the environmental impacts and management of computers through a set of analyses on issues ranging from environmental assessment, technologies for recycling, consumer behaviour, strategies of computer manufacturing firms, and government policies. One conclusion is that extending the lifespan of computers (e.g. through reselling) is an environmentally and economically effective strategy that deserves more attention from governments, firms and the general public.

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