Information Technology and Its Impact on the Environment - Coursework Example

Question 2 The information revolution of the last decade has meant that there are so many more powered devices in our homes and lives. At what cost is this increase to our environment? Furthermore, are there any companies or organizations trying to offset this somehow? Information Technology and its impact on the environment University’s Name Submitted by Names: Tutor: Date: Introduction Over the last decade, debates on global warming, environmental conservation, climate change and pollution have attracted a lot of attention from the global community. In our homes, school institutions and companies, the large scale use of electronic devices demanding the production and use of different forms of energy, has resulted to greenhouse emissions which contribute to climate change. Organizations and companies have globally begun taking measures to curb excessive consumption of energy. Hence, increasing the efficiency of energy consumed in a bid to reduce harmful effects on the environment. Home and office appliances such as computers, laptops and television sets have played a significant role in the consumption of energy in the last decade. Electronic devices have become part of our daily operations. They account for the largest energy consumption worldwide (Zhang &Forssberg, 1999, pp 295). As energy consumption is expected to further increase in future days, Companies and organizations are developing and implementing ways that will lessen harmful costs to the environment. Organizations are coming up with policies that encourage the purchase and use of eco green electronic devices that save on energy through efficiency, for example, the Samsung’s eco-bubble washing machine (Zhang & Forssberg, 1999, pp 297). Such energy saving practices are not intended to reduce the performance of these devices but rather lower their energy consumption when not in use. For example in computers and laptops, energy saving is achieved through the sleep mode when the device is idle (Baul, 2002). Most organizations have implemented green procurement polices purposefully to assess an equipment’s life cycle in relation to its costs to the environment. Such assessments are based on the various disposal techniques of these devices once they become obsolete. This is crucial because devices such as computers contain lead which is poisonous to the environment in their cathode ray tubes. Adequate planning must be done to carefully dispose of such materials safely so that no harm occurs to the environment (Baul, 2002). With student populations increasing and the uses of computer based devices also on the rise, ICT strategies need to be developed to address energy consumption issues. With phenomenal growth of the internet and cell phone usage e-waste is a current 21centruy challenge (Chezzi, 2002). Environmental concerns arise to control the energy usage and disposal of these electronic gadgets. In Australia learning institutions such as Macquarie University have become reliable on these devices. Internet usage assists students to access information online through their computers which assists them in their assignments. Energy saving consumption techniques if applied by the institution would serve to an advantage. This is because such techniques would reduce financial costs that arise from poor energy practices. The university would be able to make significant savings on its finances through the use of environmental safe and energy efficient devices (Chezzi, 2002). This study aims to address the environmental issues that arise from the use of powered devices. Poor disposal of such equipment cause harmful effects to the environment through lead spillages and other hazardous material contained in the manufacture of these devices. Organizations have come up with ‘greening’ initiatives that aim to reduce the cost of ICT revolution to the environment. Such policies and initiatives give hope for a better future and a healthier environment. This study will first start by broadly discussing and illustrating the environmental costs afflicted by these devices in regard of the environment and later provide solutions. Computer based environmental problems With global internet connectivity and easy internet accessibility, the exchanges of ideas and information sharing activities have revolutionized ICT over the last decade. Social sites have emerged with millions of people subscribed to them. For example, Tweeter and Facebook can both boost for having high social traffics. Due to this fact, there has been and increased demand for electronic devices that are capable of supporting internet connectivity. Globally, both the young and old own an ICT supported device .These devices include the mobile phones, tablets, laptops, palm-lets the list is endless. This is great thing, as this has made the world become a global village. However the issue associated with the devices is their rate of energy consumption and mode of disposal (Zhang &Forssberg, 1999, pp 297). Computer based devices problems are two sided (Domingo, 2004, pp.322). One being the fact that their energy consumption rate is too high and the other is, materials used during manufacturing if disposed of poorly will produce toxic waste, regrettably damaging the environment.As time passes technology improves and consumer taste’s change. Manufactures are ever in competition to meet and satisfy this consumer based needs. Better but more energy consumption devices are developed. Smart phones are the new trend; reducing the use of old mobile gadgets while laptops replacing desktops. How these old and obsolete devices are disposed of calls for major concerns. Their disposal over the last decade has been ecologically unsound (Domingo, 2004, pp.323). The current life cycle of such a device is two to three years before something better and new comes into the market to take its place. For example in 2005, approximately 150 million work stations were unsoundly disposed of in landfills in the United States of America ( Zhang & Forssberg, 1999).This is to show devices are being disposed off just as fast as they are being manufactured. Regrettably such poor disposal techniques lead to harmful consequences to our health’s and that of the environment. The breakdown and leaching of these devices produce bio-hazardous emissions which contain lead, chromium and barium. When inhaled these materials are known to disrupt the central system of the human body. Most organization and companies have initiated global mass crusades through social sites with the intent to cordon such reckless practices (Chezzi, 2002). Energy Consumption Rate Energy consumption is an issue affecting all industries. However, the use of television sets and desktop computers contribute to the significant wastage of electrical power. For example, a basic workstation comprising of a CPU and monitor will use about 250 watts (Curran, 1996, pp. 432). This is to suggest that a standard computer in a company will run for 8 hours in a day, for five working days of the week. After calculations, the office computer would have consumed approximately 550 KW of electrical power. Such figures could quadruple considering that most home devices and appliances like refrigerators are left on, practically to run all night all year round. Efficient energy consumptions should be adopted. This is simple, simply turn off or put your electronic device to sleep when it’s not in use. Such simple practices would go a long in the conservation and efficient use of energy (Curran, 1996, pp. 432) Toxins contained in these devices Laptops, DVD machines, iPods, microwaves are devices that we use in our day to day activities over the last decade thanks to ICT revolution. These devices are units of various metallic and chemical materials. Metallic materials such as platinum are recovered easily with high recycle efficiency. Chemical elements like mercury and arsenic cannot be recycled. These materials are responsible for causing the largest chemical environmental pollution hazards (Curran, 1996, pp. 432). Cathode ray tubes technology has been widely incorporated in the manufacture of television sets and laptops screens, over the last decade; CRT demand has grown (Chezzi, 2002). This is because of consumer demand as people are evolving with technology. In the civilized parts of the world, majority of the people own TVs. However in recent years the innovation of LCD monitors, will soon replace CRT due to its increased popularity. LCD screens are sleek, better quality and produce high definition images. Consumer’s tastes tend to change with innovation. This is because television lovers will rush to buy themselves an upgrade version of their television to keep up with the trend (Chezzi, 2002). Half the weight of a monitor is attributed to the CRT which is a cocktail of elements. The technology behind CRT is that through allowing interaction among the electron tube and the phosphorous coat on the screen, an image will be produced. The funnel glass contains high levels of lead oxide so as to prevent viewers from being exposed to radiation. Lead in the glass funnel is highly toxic when exposed to the environment and people. Its cost to the environment is when these monitors are left to weather away in landfills, slowly realizing these harmful toxins that drain into the soil and our water systems. Lead is specifically hazardous to the environment because poor waste techniques make it bioavailable in soils. Resulting to increase in soil pH. This toxin makes its way in the human body through dust inhalation. When in the body, this toxin attacks the DNA and disrupts central nervous system functions.In high concentration it can be fatal, leading to brain damage hemorrhage (Domingo, 2004, pp.325). In recent times LCD’s production has surpassed that of CRT monitors. The new trend is Flat screens. However they are preferred for all the wrong reasons, these reasons do not relate to the environment safety or energy efficiency. They are preferred because they are portable consuming less space. Flat screens contain significant contents of mercury which are easily leached to the environment through the improper disposal systems. Flat screens are intensive energy consumers are their requirements surpass those required to produce a single CRT monitor. Plastic Casings on devices Electronic devices found in homes, learning institutions and in companies have outer shells of protective cover. Such casings are made of plastic. These plastic materials are termed as brominated flame retardants (Domingo, 2004, pp.325). Due to high bromine concentrations, they are unrecyclable. During disposal they become environmentally persistent because they are Biomagnified. BFR concentrations have recently increased in the human body. Such traces are found in the blood and to make matters worse, also in breast milk. When a mother is circling a young baby, she easily passes these concentrates to the infant (Domingo, 2004, pp.326). Social and political implications of ICT devices With an increase with the number of devices owned by global populations, governments are having a tough time keeping up with this pressure, regarding energy requirements needed to run these devices. For example in Australia, one person owns more than one electrical device. Such include a phone; a PC an iPad, the list is endless. Organizations are becoming more reliant on computer and electronic devices such as printers and main-frame storage systems which require high energy requirements to run. The dependency on electronic devices has forced governments to do whatever it takes to possibly meet these energy requirements (Domingo, 2004, pp.324). Governments are investing huge amounts of capital and finances to in the production of power. The up use of fossil energy is now on the increase more than ever. Efficient energy use and practices will help cut down these financial constraints. Social implications arise when such costs are passed down to the end consumer. High electrical bills as a result are experienced which are financially strenuous for people. Because of these, the cost of living becomes expensive. Environmental pollution is a significant negative implication that could disrupt social stability. For example, huge landfill would have been put under better use for the community’s benefit .Parks could have been set up at such places for recreational purposes. Leaching of harmful toxins to the soils and water systems degrade the environment. A worst case scenario is when such toxins find way to water system consumed by humans. Increases in ailments such as cancer have recently been on the rise and such toxins are believed to be responsible for this (Curran, 1996, pp. 432). Environmental friendly strategies in relations to organizations and companies Organizations and companies have designed and implemented proactive measures to effectively manage the vast quantities of electronic waste generated worldwide. Organizations have invested in the development of environmentally friendly products that are easily recoverable. Easy recovery of electronic waste will go a long way to assist in recycling. Organizations are creating large scale awareness which involve the usage, life cycle and disposal of an electrical device (Curran, 1996, pp. 432). The purpose to do so is to reduce the ever increasing landfills in order to make the environment safely habitable by the society. People need to be educated and encouraged to practice good energy efficient practices because sources of renewable energy are on the decrease. Organizations are taking up this role. This is because the existing electrical and fossil fuel energy consumption pressures are too overwhelming for the environment to handle. Organizations are educating the masses on the importance of ensuring that the electronic device used ought to be fitted with internal energy efficient and conservancy systems (Zhang &Forssberg, 1999, pp 300). During the procurement of office products organizations have set up measures and policies that are capable of determining whether the purchase of an electronic device is environmentally friendly. These policies overlook the normal selection criteria for products. Normal selection requirements tend to be based only on transportation costs, storage, handling and manufacturing cost. Companies have gone a step further to implement ecological selection criteria’s that are inherent and have been incorporated in the products design. Such criteria’s based on ecological selection include; considering disposal and recycling costs. For example, establishing an ecological selective criterion based on whether a device can be taken apart easily for recycling once it has completed its life cycle (Domingo, 2004, pp.322). The device should also be easily recyclable because it ought to contain less toxic chemicals. Organizations are designing green procurement systems that are efficient in recovering useful components from these obsolete devices. Organizations are promoting public education in order to ensure that the societies and environments health are not compromised during recycling (Baul, 2002). Purchase of green devices Through effective green procurement strategies initiated by organizations, the purchase of green devices for example, ‘green computer’ can minimize the e-waste environmental burden. Companies are lodging together to support initiatives that support vast production of such computers and sound environmental disposal techniques (Domingo, 2004, pp.325). Organizations such as Samsung and Apple have adopted these policies because of significant saving costs that are realized from energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies (Apple and the Global Environment, 2005). Activist groups and growing public awareness campaigns have forced manufactures and producers to adapt to safe environmental principles in manufacturing their products. This is because they would be held socially accountable by their customers for any electronic devices that are harmful to people and to the environment (Chezzi, 2002). Conclusion The implementation of energy saving and eco-labeling techniques are suitable ways to curb the menace of e-waste and harmful effects to both people and the environment. For example-Energy star eco-labeling technique developed in the USA was aimed to reduce energy consumption rates by computer systems. It is now a standard requirement for Macintosh and windows OP systems. Before acquisition or purchase of these products the buyer has to verify presence of the label. This system was implemented in 1992 and is now a standard requirement. Organizations, governments and learning institution should coherently work together to minimize excessive wastage of energy and the implementation of eco-friendly mechanisms to ensure environmental safety through adoption of safe e-waste management systems. Information revolution is still at its infancy stages and will forever be part of our lives. Appendix Disposal of obsolete electronic devices is a problem Adoption of energy efficient systems and devices Safety standards that is CRTs not acceptable for recycling Organization to ensure effective e-waste management Eco-labeling techniques and green procurement policies Reference list Apple and the Global Environment. 2005. Online< http://www.apple.com/environment/> [Accessed 10 Mar 2014]. Baul, H. 2002. Error: dumping does not compute. Alternatives Journal. pp.28:2. Chezzi, D. 2002. A need for e-cycling-Where do old computers go when they die? Online< http://www.rebootcanada.ca> [Accessed March 10, 2014]. Curran, M. 1996. Environmental life-cycle assessment. New York: McGraw Hill. pp.432 Domingo, J.L. 2004. Human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers through the diet. Journal of Chromatography. 1054: 321- 326 Zhang, S. and Forssberg. E. 1999. Intelligent Liberation and classification of electronic scrap. Powder technology 105: 295-301. Read More