Comments on: Weighing the environmental costs: Buy an eReader, or a shelf of books?

By: Phoebe

Phoebe — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 23:59:36 +0000

What a fascinating topic!

I’ve been pondering whether having lots of paper books is just not going to be feasible in the kinds of living/working spaces that we’ll be living in. Already in a small apartment I have trouble finding space to put a bookshelf that is able to hold all of my books!

In that case, an e-reader (probably one that will eventually double up as a phone or something) is just going to be a necessity for inner-city residents. Libraries? Who has time for that these days?

By: Rodney

Rodney — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 10:19:21 +0000

I spoke to a paper merchant on a similar subject not too long ago. His argument was that new paper created from sustainable sources is a great carbon sink, and with modern manufacturing practices it can have a positive net effect on the environment. Recycled white paper is not so good for the environment, mainly because of the bleaching issues when making it white (recycled brown cardboard is a different story, and can be good for the environment). eReaders aren’t so good either, because of the environmental cost to manufacture, and the fact that they require power to be used. However, there is the convenience factor in their favour.

When I thought about it, it seemed to make a lot of sense to me.

By: Bob.H

Bob.H — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 21:27:15 +0000

This is why we need a complete re-write of the copyright laws.

The transfer of the right to use a work from the producer of the work to the user should not be allowed to be interfered with by any additional restrictions being imposed by a distributor.

By: seven_tech

seven_tech — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 04:31:09 +0000

Oh its true alright Renai. Those Ts&Cswe all sign without thinking contain some interesting clauses…

That’s why I buy all my music. And buy books.

By: Renai LeMay

Renai LeMay — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 04:27:46 +0000

+1 for a fascinating comment if true. I think we will be reaping the consequences of this in a generation or two

By: Bruce H.

Bruce H. — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 03:25:16 +0000

One factor that never rears it’s head in the hype about eBooks is the amount of money that Apple and Amazon et al retain in perpetuity from the licencing of electronic media, be it music, eBooks, games & VOD etc. content. In the pre-digital age, you bought a book for one single outlay that would be valid for your whole lifetime and beyond.. i.e., you could trade your books in, sell them at a garage/car boot sale, share with your family & friends, donate them to Lifeline, leave on the bus seat for someone to pick up and read or just bequeath to them in your will to whoever you desired. Good luck trying to access iTunes, eBooks accounts etc. after a loved one or a friend has bequeathed their estate to you after they have died. The licencing rights expire upon death and are not transferable. The cost of that $50 beautifully bound hadcover tome you love does not seem that bad after all does it, when you know you can transfer ownership at will. With the price differential between paper-based books and eBooks being not that significant, Apple and amazon must be laughing all the way to the bank, knowing that who ever inherits your estate must pay them licencing fees all over again for access to the media.

By: seven_tech

seven_tech — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 05:43:08 +0000

Ahhh- Life Cycle analysis and embodied energy…..that takes me back to Materials Science Uni days….

I actually enjoyed those sorts of analyses- but as Tom has pointed out, they can be misleading working on averages etc.

Bring on best environmental practice laws! Then we won’t need the anlayses :D