My family of five owns 10 computers; 3 desktops, 7 laptops. We own 10 iPods; 4 iTouches, 6 Nanos. We own a Apple Time Machine, 4 iTrips, more iPod cases and headphones than iPods, and we are constantly coveting the new designs Apple is constantly releasing. I’m certain Hippies’ Apples are merely the edible variety.
I’d say 95% of our free time is spent on our computers. Email is how we communicate, Skype is how we call each other, and Google is who answers any of our life inquiries. We are all familiar with terms such as ‘wiki’, ‘blog’, ‘tweet’, and ‘widget’. We share our photos online, we send our Christmas letters online, and we play communal games of Scrabble online. We turn to Google for driving directions, language translations, and to view anywhere in the world from space. It is safe to say we are a techie family.
Technology uses energy. A typical desktop computer uses anywhere from 60 to 250 watts and the average monitor uses about 80 watts. Technology uses resources. According to a UN University report, “the average 24 kg desktop computer with monitor requires at least 10 times its weight in fossil fuels and chemicals to manufacture.” That is more material intensive than an automobile or refrigerator.
Technology is not cheap. Especially my family’s chosen brand. The new MacBook Pro (which us Nessman’s own 3 of) can potentially cost over $5,000 with the memory add ons and software upgrades. But these days, with technology changing so rapidly, these additions seem like a pretty good idea through consumer eyes unless you want to have your model be out of date within the week.
However, the new MacBook Pro is the most environmentally conscious choice in the laptop market. Apple’s newest MacBooks are known as “the world’s greenest lineup of notebooks”. These machines are Mercury, Arsenic, and PVC free. They have a recyclable aluminum uni-body and meet ENERGY STAR version 5.0 requirements. Apple has even cut back on packaging by 34% – 41% to conserve resources and reduce their carbon footprint while shipping these products. My MacBook Pro consumes significantly less energy than a desktop computer. In idle mode with the display on it uses only 16.5 watts.
Apple iPods are manufactured in China. Factory regions known as “iPod Cities” employ mainly females who work 15 hour days and earn as little as $44US a month. They live in dormitories that do not allow outside visitors. An iPod nano contains 400 different parts costing about $75US. Cheap labor is vital in keeping retail prices competitive while still creating a worthwhile revenue.
e-waste facts
Ipods do not last forever. In fact, after only 13 months of heavy use, the lithium-ion battery can lose more than half of its functionality. It is cheaper to purchase a new iPod than to replace the battery, and by that time Apple has most likely come out with a few more models of music players packed with new must-have features. Tossing the old nano in a junk bin and driving down to Future Shop to pick up the new product makes more economic sense. But old iPods often become e-waste. When my computer and music player get out of date and marketing initiatives convince me that I must go out immediately and purchase new ones, my Mac and iPod may be dumped in a landfill.
Technology is essential in today’s world, but I think we must pause sometimes and assess its impact, both environmental and social. The technology I own is probably less than the average North American teenager, but I still feel it is excessive. Reading the news reports on the factory conditions in these iPod Cities makes me view my handheld gadget differently. It has become a given that everyone owns an iPod. I can only think of one person in my immediate social group who does not own one. People nowadays are always connected to some network, but may be disconnected with the reality around them.
Hippies do not own MacBooks and iPods, let alone multiples of each.
