"How Green Is My iPad"

[WMAveteran]

 On Sunday, April 4, 2010, in the Sunday Opinion section of THE NEW YORK TIMES, there was an article evaluating the environmental friendliness of the iPad and the Kindle (as e-readers) versus the book.  The authors reviewed the iPad, Kindle and the book in a five step process that included materials, manufacture, transportation, reading and disposal. 

The authors concluded the following: "With respect to fossil fuels, water use and mineral consumption, the impact of one e-reader payback equals roughly 40 to 50 books.   When it comes to global warming, though, it's 100 books; with human health consequences, it's somewhere in between.  All in all, the most ecologically virtuous way to read a book starts by walking to your local library."