Computers and the Environment: Understanding and Managing their Impacts /

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kuehr, Ruediger
Corporate Author: SpringerLink (Online service)
Other Authors: Williams, Eric
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands : Imprint : Springer, 2003.
Edition:1.
Series:Eco-efficiency in industry and science ; 14.
Subjects:
Online Access:Connect to the full text of this electronic book
Description
Summary: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.
Item Description:Electronic resource.
Physical Description:1 online resource (300 pages)
ISBN:9789401000338 (electronic bk.)
9401000336 (electronic bk.)