Technology and the Environment

It’s no secret that computer hardware that is improperly throw out turns into an environmental nightmare. Recently, Greenpeace in SouthEast Asia warned how computer software could adversely affect the environment. In a Feb. 3rd article, it announced that Windows Vista would be the cause of a whole lot of e-waste in developing countries due to outdated computer hardware being incompatible with the new operating system.

Here’s an excerpt from the article: “A study conducted by SoftChoice Corporation stated that 50% of the current breed of personal computers are ‘below Windows Vista’s basic system requirements’ while 94% are not equipped to run on Windows Vista Premium edition… The idea that software innovation would result in more mountains of computer scrap ending up in the dumps of Asia and Africa, contaminating the environment, and affecting the health of communities, is both offensive and intolerable…”

I can’t imagine being responsible for a multi-billion dollar corporation. Just knowing that decisions to create new products to sell could negatively affect nations and the world’s environment would kill me! Guess that is why it would be so important to have people who are dedicated to being socially responsible, without compromise. Yikes!