Electronics and its impact on energy and the environment

Abstract

Technology's impact on human health has been a concern for at least 200 years. These concerns ranged from the waste and pollution due to mining and heavy manufacturing to emissions from the automobile and fossil fuel power plants. Now the proliferation of electronics products, their manufacture and disposal are posing additional threats to the fragile balance of the Earth's eco systems. Nevertheless, electronics can also be the solution to many of our current and future environmental and energy related problems. The environmental threats from electronics can be significantly reduced or eliminated through consciously environmentally responsible choice of materials, technology, design, manufacture, distribution, usage, and end-of-life disposal. In a similar way the application of electrical and electronics technologies and devices for power generation, electric and hybrid automobiles and solid-state lighting can significantly positively contribute to reducing mankind's carbon footprint and improve our environment. Thus, consciously and demonstrably, electronics technologies, devices and applications are making major contributions through the removal of toxins and pollutants; innovative materials enable reduction in use of other materials; new electronics energy sources will become the long-term major sustainable sources; solid state lighting is decreasing the consumption of energy whilst providing improved illumination. Nano-electronics products now enable more efficient use of energy in many walks of life