About this time each year, we hear a lot of grumbling from students about the burden of having to buy so many expensive, heavy books that, in some cases, will never be read. The common argument goes: "Why can't we just get digital or online books? It would be less expensive, easier to update, and have less of an environmental impact."
While we might not be able to move to all-digital course readings in the near future, it is important to discuss the value and environmental footprint of printed books vs. digital books. A recent study by Cleantech Group made a compelling case in favor of e-readers.
According to CleanTech's website: "The new study finds that e-readers could have a major impact on improving the sustainability and environmental impact on the publishing industry.....On average, the carbon emitted in the lifecycle of a Kindle is fully offset after the first year of use.....E-readers purchased from 2009 to 2012 could prevent 5.3 billion kg of carbon dioxide in 2012, or 9.9 billion kg during the four-year time period."
E-readers of course are not entirely blameless. They consume energy and often contain a number of nonrenewable and/or potentially toxic materials. Like many aspects of sustainability, it is a balancing act.
Read about the CleanTech report at:
http://cleantech.com/news/4867/cleantech-group-finds-positive-envi
Read the NY Times excellent coverage of this issue:
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/are-e-readers-greener-than-books/
So what do you think? Would you rather have a paper book or an e-reader?
