In the past few years, more and more attention has been placed on how environmentally-friendly tech gadgets and products are, and how eco-aware their manufacturers are. At the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, green mania has come out like never before, with corporations touting the low-energy consumption of products, or the eco-friendly chemicals that are contained within.
Reducing the power consumption of tech products is increasingly becoming a target for activists. “Electronics are in fact much more environmentally friendly today than even five years ago,” Jeff Omelchuck, director of the Green Electronics Council, told Reuters. The Green Electronics Council provides an Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) certification for computers.
The goal however is sustainability, which requires products to leave no adverse impact on the environment throughout their lives, right from manufacturing to recycling. “Companies are making products greener because the market expects them to,” Omelchuck added.
However, environmental activists - who are notorious for pushing the bar - argue that while manufacturers are focusing on energy efficiency of their products, they will still ultimately fail as “green” products if they use toxic batteries or cannot be recycled. As always, wherever there is a multi-billion dollar industry, and a “green” controversy, you will find Greenpeace.
“Consumers shouldn’t have to choose between products that are incredibly green in one area, but grey in another,” said Casey Harrell, a toxics campaigner for Greenpeace International. Harrell had some kind words for the industry which is trying hard to clean up its goods, but commented that the absence of an international standard will make it tough for consumers to find the most green product.
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Result for: s council
Sweden’s Council on Legislation has suggested that it will not stop a new law that will make it much easier to arrest suspected Internet pirates. The law will go into effect during April 2009.
The government -backed law would give copyright holders the ability to request personal information of any suspected pirate based on their IP address.
The law itself is based on a broader EU directive but the Council on Legislation stated that Sweden’s regulation goes much further than is required by the directive.
Sweden’s proposal would allow the copyright holders to request the personal information if they believe there is “probable cause” of a copyright law being broken. They can then use the info to begin legal proceedings seeking monetary damages.
The EU directive only states however that “people should have the right to access information in connection with a trial.”
