Jez's Blog

When we are asked about how technology is hurting our environments, how many of us think of cellphone? In the CNN news article: How to make your cell phone greener?, by Amy Gahran, CNN notes, "cell phones have become one of the most ubiquitous hallmarks of life in the 21st century, but they aren't necessarily good for the environment."

According to the author of How to make your cell phone greener?, the materials used to produce cell phones, from plastic to rare, powdery metal tantalum, which is now known as a conflict mineral due to its causing of local exploitation and violence in Central Africa (where the mineral is primarily mined), present a variety of environmental, and even human right issues. Further, energy is needed to charge cell phones, and also to transmit calls, texts/media messages and data across wireless carrier networks. Such electricity consumption adds up to greenhouse gas emissions.

Personally, I think cell phone is one of humans' greatest invention. It allows us to communicate, and to hear each others' voices no matter how far apart we are with the person in the other side of the phone. Communication has definitely become easier and more efficient with cell phones. However, like any other new technology, the industry of cell phone is hurting our environment. This has brought us to the question: how do we protect our environment while still being able to enjoy the services of cell phones? Here are some ways that are informed by How to make your cell phone greener?. Some of them I have never hear of, however, I think it is quite important for people to know them:

1. keep your cell phones out of landfills

2. sell or reuse your used cell phones

3. buy an used cell phone rather than a new one

4. choose cell phone models that claim to be greener than most; choose cell phones that are made of recycled or recyclable materials

5. text -- texting is the most energy-efficient communication option

6. call from an old-fashion land line, which uses less power to transmit calls

Save the Earth from that "one missed call"!




Reference:
-http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/09/24/greener.cell.phones/index.html CNN Environment: How to make your cell phone greener? CNN© 2010 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.]