Computer's don't fly in this brief video. But there is a serious point. Some materials are better at certain jobs than others and paper is irreplaceable in many situations.
In their many guises paper fibres are incredibly versatile. From recording history in a safe, storable, format to being an essential hygienic material, you'd be amazed how often this fantastic product touches our lives every day.
The Environmental Impact of Newspapers, Books, e-Waste by Mark Glaser, January 22, 2010
When I
cancelled my daily newspaper subscription, I figured it was the right
thing to do for the environment. No longer would someone have to ink up
all that newsprint and deliver it to my doorstep. But what I didn't
consider was the environmental impact of all my electronic devices --
their energy use as well as the harm they can do when being "recycled"
in developing countries.
On this episode of 5Across, I convened
a group of experts to examine the environmental impact of print media,
as well as e-waste and the energy used by web servers when we go
online. Most surprisingly, I learned that newspaper publishers use
mostly recycled paper, as well as "virgin paper" that comes from the
refuse generated by saw mills when creating lumber for houses. Could it
be that over time newspapers are actually the greener option versus
using electronic devices? No one knows for sure yet, but it's a
fascinating question to ponder.
