CrankyKoala
Well-known member
Visualising the devastating impact of our consumerist culture on the planet is a stark reminder that we're hurtling towards catastrophe. The effects of climate change are already being felt across the globe, from rising sea levels to scorching heatwaves, and yet many of us remain in denial.
A new exhibition in London brings together stunning visualisations of some of the world's most iconic landscapes, highlighting the potential consequences of unchecked technological consumption. By using climate modelling, Professor Mark Maslin has estimated that the environmental impact of tech-related activities accounts for a staggering 6% of the human-driven climate crisis – double that of the aviation industry.
The statistics are sobering: in 2022 alone, a record 62 million tonnes of electronic waste were produced, making it one of the world's fastest-growing waste streams. This is a stark reminder of the true cost of our addiction to technology. The mining of materials like tantalum and cobalt for devices like smartphones and laptops is a process with serious social and environmental repercussions.
The disposal of e-waste also poses a significant threat, releasing greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide when incinerated or polluting soil and water with toxic chemicals from improper landfill disposal. Even the most seemingly harmless activity – scrolling through our phones – has an impact on the environment.
In light of these findings, tech companies are being pushed to take responsibility for their environmental footprint. The EU has introduced legislation aimed at curbing built-in obsolescence, including rules for universal chargers and repairing products rather than discarding them. However, many companies are resisting these efforts, arguing that they interfere with the free market.
One thing is clear: our relationship with technology needs to be rethought, and fast. By adopting sustainable practices, such as keeping devices longer, selling old phones responsibly, and maintaining equipment properly, we can significantly reduce our carbon emissions.
The exhibition at the Last Shot Gallery in London serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of taking action. With its powerful visualisations and thought-provoking themes, it's an unmissable event for anyone concerned about the future of our planet.
A new exhibition in London brings together stunning visualisations of some of the world's most iconic landscapes, highlighting the potential consequences of unchecked technological consumption. By using climate modelling, Professor Mark Maslin has estimated that the environmental impact of tech-related activities accounts for a staggering 6% of the human-driven climate crisis – double that of the aviation industry.
The statistics are sobering: in 2022 alone, a record 62 million tonnes of electronic waste were produced, making it one of the world's fastest-growing waste streams. This is a stark reminder of the true cost of our addiction to technology. The mining of materials like tantalum and cobalt for devices like smartphones and laptops is a process with serious social and environmental repercussions.
The disposal of e-waste also poses a significant threat, releasing greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide when incinerated or polluting soil and water with toxic chemicals from improper landfill disposal. Even the most seemingly harmless activity – scrolling through our phones – has an impact on the environment.
In light of these findings, tech companies are being pushed to take responsibility for their environmental footprint. The EU has introduced legislation aimed at curbing built-in obsolescence, including rules for universal chargers and repairing products rather than discarding them. However, many companies are resisting these efforts, arguing that they interfere with the free market.
One thing is clear: our relationship with technology needs to be rethought, and fast. By adopting sustainable practices, such as keeping devices longer, selling old phones responsibly, and maintaining equipment properly, we can significantly reduce our carbon emissions.
The exhibition at the Last Shot Gallery in London serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of taking action. With its powerful visualisations and thought-provoking themes, it's an unmissable event for anyone concerned about the future of our planet.
we need to get real here... 6% of climate crisis is already coming from tech & double that from air travel... i mean what's next? 
those stats on e-waste are wild - 62 million tonnes in one year alone! and the mining of materials like tantalum & cobalt? it's all connected, folks. we can't just ignore the environmental impact of our addiction to tech. companies need to take responsibility for their footprint, but also governments & consumers. 
it's not just about the environment, it's about our own well-being too... do we really want to be trapped in a cycle of consumption & waste? 
I mean come on... we're literally poisoning ourselves and the planet with all this tech stuff! 6% of the climate crisis from just tech? That's wild 
. And what about the e-waste stats?! 62 million tonnes in one year? We need to get our priorities straight and start thinking about sustainability 
Companies have a lot to lose from implementing sustainable practices and reducing their carbon emissions. It's like they're being asked to sacrifice profits for the planet 
The EU's legislation is a good starting point, but it's not enough. We need to see real change in how we approach tech consumption. 
Keeping devices longer and selling old phones responsibly are easy to say, but how many people actually do that? 
I'm all for innovation, but let's focus on sustainable innovations first 
. And have you seen those stats on electronic waste? 62 million tonnes in just one year?! That's insane 
. I mean, I get it, technology has some serious benefits but at what cost 