Will Kindle save the rain forests? Now that Amazon’s debuted its new $359 Kindle, an e-reader available Feb. 24, e-reader and e-book marketers alike are busy big upping the eco-creds of digital reading. After all, reading an e-book on an e-reader like Kindle can save many many trees from being felled to make paper books, right?
Unfortunately, the answer to this paper vs. paperless reading question doesn’t come easily. For one, research that compares the two types of reading is scarce. The main relevant report analyzing the impact of paper books is Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts: Findings from the U.S. Book Industry, put together last year by the Book Industry Study Group and the Green Press Initiative. The conclusion: Each paper U.S. book releases an average of 8.85 pounds of carbon dioxide! However, no comparable analysis was done for e-books.
In fact, I’m not sure there can ever be a definitive answer to this issue — mainly because people use e-readers differently than they do paper books. For example, the Kindle can be used to read not just books, but your favorite blogs, newspapers, and other text-intensive matter. In fact, this new version of Kindle can read to you — replacing audio tapes and CDs, the effect of which would have to be somehow figured into a digital vs. paper / tape / CD comparison.
And of course, the carbon footprint of a book read’s vastly different for a driver that gas-guzzles her Hummer to a faraway chain bookstore for a brand new book printed on virgin paper than for a borrower who bikes to her LEED-certified library to check out a pre-loved, much-read book. Plus, some e-readers use gadgets they already have — cell phones or Blackberries — to read e-books, while others buy a brand new gadget. Those choices also weigh into the carbon footprint equation.
Which is to say: I’m not for or against e-books OR paper books. I own a Sony Reader — and while I don’t use it all that much, I like the fact that I can download classics for free using Project Gutenberg to read at my leisure.
If you do read e-books, here are my tips: Make sure you unplug both your e-reading gadget AND its adapter when they’re not charging up. You’ll prevent the devices from leaching vampire power — and you’ll save yourself some money on power bills too. Use your e-reader for as long as possible, resisting the urge to upgrade with every new tech advance and create unnecessary e-waste. And once your e-reader’s run its course, take the item to your nearest e-waste facility so it’ll be recycled properly.
Photo via amazon.com
I bought the Sony E reader when it first came out and love it! I am still using the original model with its worn cover. It holds the charge for a long time – I just plug it in to recharge periodically -no need to risk vampire power usage. I read a lot and was constantly buying new books – there is no question that I have saved a lot of trees and the power to ship books by switching to an E book. Also, I download my books into readers for my mother, husband and close friend. Over the 3 years, I am sure I saved money compared to the purchase of books.
After 3 years of use, I will probably upgrade to the new Kindle – it looks amazing and I like the advantage of downloading wirelessly and spontaneously. I will donate my Sony with it’s library of over a hundred books to a deserving friend.
The luxury of traveling with umpteen book choices that don’t use up space in your luggage and easily having whatever you are reading in your handbag when you wait 20 minutes for a doctor or a late appointment – priceless!
Comment by Sherri — February 11, 2009 @ 9:23 am
I’ve never even seen a Kindle, so I really don’t know how well it reads. I’m not fond of reading long articles online, probably because I find it hard to relax with a computer either in my lap or sitting in my computer chair. The Kindle, being much more portable may be much better in this arena.
But, I love the feel of a good book, being able to put it in my purse, taking it whereever I might be interested in reading.
Ot lessen my carbon footprint, I tend to purchase a lot of second hand books, especially for my leisure reading.
Comment by LisaNewton — February 15, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
I will be very surprised if this device gets really popular. While there are no monthly fees, which makes me like it a bit more than my overpriced BlackBerry plan, it is larger, and therefore, not as portable. Additionally, unlike with a book, you have to deal with battery power… They may say that it lasts days, but really, there have been days when I haven’t been able to get to an outlet… such as when traveling internationally, and suffering unexpected delays…
And really? Green. I don’t believe it. It’s just another gadget that people can use. It definitely has a larger footprint than the 2-5 programming books I’ll read a year. AND if the life of this thing is as short as an iPod’s, then its definitely not worth the money…
Interesting product, but not my cup of tea.
Comment by Shirley - Velvet Blues — February 15, 2009 @ 4:57 pm