1. Environmental impacts of IT hardware Eric Williams United Nations University

2. The United Nations University (UNU) Think-tank for the UN system (not degree granting university) UNU Centre in Tokyo Network of Research and Training centers around the world. Topics: –Environment and Sustainable Development –Peace and Governance

3. The world ’ s billionth personal computer was produced in 2002.

4. Computers have made life convenient … But what about their impacts on the environment? Big? Small? Well understood? Unknown?

5. Environmental impacts and IT hardware 1.Energy and material use 2.Possible long-term health effects on high-tech workers 3.Chemical emissions from factories 4.Exposures to toxic materials in equipment (e.g. lead, brominated flame retardants)

6. The Macro microchip Average annual growth of global semiconductor industry is 16% per year What are the environmental implications of this new industry? High-tech is often perceived = low impact. Assessment of energy, chemicals and water use in production of a 32MB DRAM chip.

8. The 1.7 kg microchip For 32MB DRAM chip: Fossil fuels consumed in production = 1,200 grams Fossil fuels consumed in use = 440 grams Chemicals “destructively” consumed = 72 grams Water use is 36,000 grams per chip. Total fossil fuel and chemical use to produce 2-gram memory chip  1.7 kg Source: Williams, Ayres, Heller (2002)

9. Entropy and energy use Chip manufacture is extremely energy and chemicals intensive. Fossil fuels to make one chip is 600 times the weight of the chip. For automobile, figure is 1~2, aluminum can 4-5. Why? Chip is extremely organized both at microscopic and mesoscopic scales. Reduction of entropy requires energy.

10. The 290 kg desktop computer Total fossil fuels to produce a desktop computer with 17 inch CRT monitor = 290 kg, 14 times its weight Total energy (production + operation) of a computer larger than a refrigerator. Structure of energy very different: 83% is for production, 17% for operation. For refrigerator, production/operation is 12%/88%. Source: Williams (2003)

11. Managing End-of-life computers: Resell, Upgrade, Recycle Rapid obsolescence and increased adoption gives rise to e-waste problem (more on this in next presentation) How to manage? Evaluate waste management wisdom (3R’s) for computers: Resell – used computer to secondary users Upgrade – replace processor, memory, hard disc Recycle – disassemble computer, recover materials (metals, glass, plastic)

12. Evaluate environmental effectiveness Source: Williams and Sasaki (2003) Case: desktop computer, home use, base case

13. Electricity use of IT equipment 1999 Forbes article: “Dig More Coal: the PCs are coming” said computers and networks account for 10% of electricity use in US. Seems to be overestimate, LBNL study showed 3%. Hardware trends: New processors↑ LCD screens ￬ Standby modes ￬

14. Health impacts on semiconductor workers Hundreds of chemicals used, many toxic. Complex and changing mix; Possible increased incidence of cancers and birth defects; Some empirical work showed link between glycol ethers and miscarriage rates. Link to cancers not known (no major study done yet); Series of lawsuits filed against firms by workers (IBM, National Semiconductor) Major suit against IBM now proceeding to trial.

15. Chemical emissions Possible impacts from accidents and usual operation of plants 1980’s case of 1,1,1-trichloroethane leak in Silicon Valley: empirical work suggested increased birth defects in local communities. EHS practice of firms has no doubt improved. Good enough? No lawsuits have surfaced in 90’s

16. Exposure to toxic materials in equipment Two substances attract the most attention –Lead, in CRT monitors and circuit boards –brominated flame retardants (e.g. polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)) in casings and circuit boards. “Precaution principle” concern has led to EU ban on lead and certain flame retardants in circuit boards from 2006. No scientific evidence yet.

17. Summing up Energy use is significant (home computer ~ refrigerator) Health effects due from toxic chemical exposure (workers and nearby eco-systems) is possible, but still poorly understood. CRTs contain significant lead (~ 1kg).

18. More info: new book Table of Contents Computers and the Environment—An Introduction Information Technology Products and the Environment Environmental Impacts in the Production of Personal Computers How the European Union’s WEEE Directive Will Change the Market for Electronic Equipment—Two Scenarios IBM’s Environmental Management of Product Aspects Environmental Management at Fujitsu Siemens Computers Energy Consumption and Personal Computers PCs and Consumers—A Look at Green Demand, Use, and Disposal Strategizing the End-of-life Handling of Personal Computers: Resell, Upgrade, Recycle Today’s Markets for Used PCs Recycling Personal Computers Operations of a Computer Equipment Resource Recovery Facility Managing PCs through Policy

19. Thank you! More information: www.it-environment.org