Kindle And Other Ereaders: Will They Save The Planet?

People using ereaders such as Kindle to read instead of the printed books, magazines and newspaper are on the increase. These wireless reading devices allow readers to download and store over a thousand ebooks limiting the need for paper and therefore less need to cut down trees, the lungs of our planet.

Records show that there were three million ereaders sold in 2009 and this figure is expected to rise significantly in the coming years because the newer models have several good attractive features. Each upgrade seem lighter, slimmer and cheaper.

The important question is, does ereaders such as Kindle help reduce global warming and help the environment? These gadgets may have significant positive impact on global warming if ereaders are used more extensively worldwide. When the demand for printed books, magazines and newspaper is less because people prefer to have the digital version, then the use of paper will be reduced. The digital version of books, newspaper and magazines will be cheaper and cost nothing to deliver. Lower CO2 release will result from less printing and distribution.

To make one ereader like Kindle releases 168 kg. of CO2. The produce a book uses 7.48 kg. of CO2 (CNET). In other words after reading about 23 ebooks, you start saving on CO2 release. Cleantech claim that between 2009 and 2012, ereaders could save 1.5 billion kg. of CO2.This is encouraging.

Annually we cut down 125 million trees according to experts for paper to be used in printing. In addition, if you add a further effect of conversion into paper, printing then distribution, it is easy to understand why printed books have the distinction of having the highest carbon footprint for a single unit. Of the printed matter produced, about a third are returned to be recycled, thrown away or incinerated.

Sarah Rotman Epps, Media Analyst, says that currently ebooks are not having any positive effect on the environment. This will only happen when publishers print fewer books in antipication of increased ebook sales. So if the amount of printed paper remains constant, there will still be the same amount of trees cut down and there will be no impact on the environment.

Not only is carbon dioxide released in the production of Kindle, but the battery is charged from electricity from fossil fuel power source. LG, a Korean Company has produced a solar powered ereader, according to Tech News World. This must be a step in the right direction. One day all ereaders will be solar powered.

Having a Kindle or any other ereader will save you money on books, magazines and newspaper. Papers and magazines can be archived and read over again at a later date. Ereaders are getting cheaper and they save space. There is also the issue of electronic waste. Apple iPad does not contain PVC, a highly toxic substance, according to the New York Times. So far Amazon Kindle and other ereaders have not submitted similar evidence.

The bottom line is the environment will not benefit until the volume of printed material is reduced as a result of a great demand for ebooks, magazines and newspaper from Kindle and other ereaders.

By: Phil Harry

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If you are considering buying any ereader, read reviews in my Blog: wirelessreadingdevice.co where I review all ereaders such as Kindle. There are several reviews that includes an article on Kindle Review