Modern data and environmental estimates indicate that the number of smartphones used globally is 7 billion devices, according to Statista. The carbon footprint of all smartphones in the world is difficult to accurately, but some estimates put them between 100 and 150 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The average annual carbon fingerprint of one smartphone is 63 kilograms of carbon dioxide, according to the “carrast” site, which is almost the equivalent of driving a car for a distance of 248 km.
This carbon footprint includes all the stages of the life cycle of smartphones, from manufacturing to use and the end of life.
The amount of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the use of a smartphone based on a set of factors such as the period of use and its method, energy efficiency, electricity source, and how to get rid of the phone. In what comes some information to reduce the carbon footprint of your phone.
Charging the phone
The smartphone consumes an average of about 5 tattoos during charging. If the phone is charged for an hour a day, it consumes about 1.825 kilowatt hours annually on average.
The percentage of carbon dioxide emissions from the phone depends on the electricity source approved for its shipment. If the source is coal, the emissions are estimated at about one kilogram of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour, but if the source of the electrical current is from natural gas, the emissions are estimated at about half a kilogram per kilowatt hour.
If the phone is charged from a stream that comes from renewable energy, the percentage of emissions will be small or non -existent.
Using data and infrastructure
Data transmission through networks require energy consumption in databases and servers. It is estimated that the use of a smartphone, including browsing the Internet and video calls, produces between 10 kilograms and 50 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually depending on the intensity of use.
Manufacturing stage
The manufacture of the smartphone is caused by large emissions ranging from 50 to 100 kilograms of carbon dioxide, including extracting raw materials such as rare minerals and manufacturing electronic components, and the transfer of these components and the final product, but these emissions are counted once when purchasing, not annual.
The end of the shelf life
It includes recycling or disposal of the phone, and this contributes between 1% and 5% of the carbon footprint.
On average, the annual carbon fingerprint of smartphones can be estimated between 15 and 60 kilograms, taking into account the quality of the phone, moderate use of data and how to charge the phone.
How can the carbon footprint of the phone be reduced?
The carbon fingerprint can be reduced when using the smartphone by following sustainable practices, whether during daily use or when disposed of, here are some effective advice:
- Reducing the use of the phone by reducing the time you spend using the phone, which reduces energy consumption.
- Using alternative devices such as computers or other highly efficient devices for important business.
- Use the phone protector to protect it from damage and prolong its use period.
- Reducing the energy consumption of the power by activating the power saving mode.
- Use the energy saving features in the phone.
- Reducing screen brightness by lowering lighting or activating night mode.
- Close unused applications that work in the background and consume energy.
- Reducing the use of the Bluetooth and “Wi -Fi” network and stopping it when it does not need it.
- Using renewable energy by charging the phone with solar energy, such as using solar powered shipping panels.
- Choose a green energy provider by ensuring that the electricity used for shipment comes from renewable sources.
- Reducing dependence on cloud storage as much as possible and adopting local storage, i.e. storing data on the phone instead of the cloud, as data centers require tremendous energy.
- Extension of the life of the phone and its use for as long as possible.
- Periodic maintenance by repairing simple breakdowns such as screen or battery replacement instead of buying a new phone.
- Delete unnecessary data by cleaning old or excessive files.
- Recycling or donating, when getting rid of the phone, it should be confirmed recycling through the credit recycling programs, and it is better to donate the phone if it works for those who need it.
In general, it is preferable to choose sustainable phones, that is, phones made from recycled materials, and low -carbon fingerprint phones made by companies that adhere to sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.
By following these simple steps, you can reduce the carbon fingerprint to use a smartphone significantly, which contributes to the protection of the environment.
(Tagstotranslate) Environmental Science (T)