While the benefits are plentiful, there is also a burden of online media. There is a cost to using online media in the consumption of power. Much of that power is still fueled by traditional hydro generation including coal and water. Nuclear, though cited as clean has it’s dangers – just look at Chernobyl and 3 Mile Island!

That’s just the start. The conundrum. Without technology and  growth we are unable to sustain our economy. That makes it hard to make a living. The poor suffer the most in this situation

While online media reduces paper and CO2, it also has a cost. Each computer uses 40-80 grams of greenhouse gas every hour.  Read this CNN article on reading an article and take a look at the Wall Street Journal’s take on the impact of just searching on Google.

There is also the servers and pipelines scattered across the web that need to be accounted for. For every hour you access you are also using up the servers energy. Then there are the countless devices and gadgets, both mobile and stationary use. Using them may consume less energy but they have batteries, and production costs too – not to mention packaging.

Technology needs to be manufactured, marketed and distributed. With more technology and gadgets, consumers use more resources. Oh, and power needs to be consumed – at increasing levels!

so what are the environmental burdens?

1. loss of habitat such as forests and watershed
2. destruction of fragile eco systems (non reversible)
3. global warming as a result of gas emissions
4. contamination of water and land as a result of waste
5. limiting or eliminating natural resources available
6. imposing on a culturally historic or dependent society (to the land)
7. removing resources for a community
8. exploiting a community for labour and resources

Those are some of the big impacts.

but what can I do about it?

Many people ask this question and expect someone else to come up with the answer. I hear this answer a lot:

The government or big corporations need to come up with a solution

Here’s an eyeopener for you – Governments are designed to regulate and create policy. Corporations have to meet shareholders and owner goals of growth and wealth. That means they are not in it to find a solution for you – only one that meets their agenda!

Initiatives and ideas are the responsibility of everyone. That overused quote by Ghandi “be the change you want to see”, really is the solution. Every action and choice you makes is woven deeply into the earth’s destiny. If you want a solution – create one or participate in it. Spread the word and take ownership. We all need to become smart consumers to make the world sustainable.

What are you going to do?

if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones!

• environmental benefits of online media
• living off the grid
• what is greenwashing all about
• what is community
• top green trends for 2011