2 comments

• Comment Link Thursday, 14 April 2011 14:39 posted by Ed

  I agree that classrooms should take advantage of technology whenever possible. But that has little to do with saving forests. The equation is not that simple. Forests are renewable resources and far more trees are planted every year then are harvested. Wood fiber used for paper is taken from the portions of the tree left over after lumber and other forest products are produced. In the USA, a majority of forest lands are in private hands. If we stop using forest products, the owners of these lands will have no incentive to plant trees and sustainably manage their forest lands. Instead, they will have a financial incentive to sell to developers and we could lose forests to shopping centers. In contrast, the energy used to send emails and other electronic communication comes mostly from coal and other non-renewable sources. The increased use of electronic devices leads to increased emission of greenhouse gasses.
• Comment Link Friday, 22 April 2011 13:30 posted by Larry

  I like the new trend toward a different medium for books and other publications. There is certainly advantages to moving to electronic transfer of data and information. However, I also agree to some degree with Ed as he identifies some of the limits or disadvantages of the energy concerns. Like most of the 'Green' movement, I feel that what often lacks is balance. Change comes slowly for most folks and too often we cry out for changes that are so radical that the 'main stream' simply writes off the benefits because they feel that unless they make sweeping lifestyle changes, they wont be doing enough. The result is, they do nothing. Balance CAN be achieved if we bring change about slowly and teach the main stream that they CAN make a huge differences simply by making small, significant steps. The most significant example I can use to illustrate this is the use of recycling and green waste bins along side our garbage cans at home. Remember, it was just 10 years ago that 'The masses' were throwing everything into one garbage can. Now, after a slow steady movement, everyone has the 3 different containers that keep our trash separated. Imagine if we would have preached the use of 3 cans and expected the public - over night to either get 3 cans or feel like they were the sole source of our worlds garbage problem. My bet is that most would have written off the movement calling it another spoof from Environmental whako's. The switch from paper to electronics will be similar in nature and it is up to us that believe in the movement to find the 'balance' and move the masses slowly into a scenario that solves one problem without creating another.