The world’s one-billionth personal computers (PC) came off the assembly line in 2002. One billion PCs made and still counting. United Nations University scientist Eric Williams, co-author of the study called Computers and the Environment, says most consumers are not aware that the average desktop computer with monitor requires 10 times its weight in fossil fuels and chemicals to manufacture (i.e. energy consumption). While consumers may not be aware of this fact, PC makers certainly are. Besides the energy intensive manufacturing process, there are these other related issues, increasing amount of E-waste (discussed in detail in another section), possible health effects on workers in IT (information technology) factories and citizens to substances leaking out of computers that end up in landfills, and overfilled landfills. Moreover, the issue that still needs resolving is, whose responsibility is it to monitor/address the environmental impacts of PCs—PC producers, end users (consumers and businesses) or the government? Answer—Everyone must play a role in combating the possibly long-term, ill effects of computer usage on the environment.

One strategy for consumers to extend the life of their computers is reselling or upgrading them. Reselling or upgrading a computer can save five to 20 times more energy than recycling it. Also, extending the life of a computer means fewer computers going into landfills and adding toxins to the environment. Consumers and businesses would probably be inclined to extend the life of computers if manufacturers were not in such a hurry to make their existing PC obsolete. The race among PC makers to have their product be the fastest and greatest is partly to blame for this current situation of computer excess. Other simple things consumers can do are: use low energy standby modes when the computer is in use, put the computer into sleep mode when it is not in use, sell or give away old computers instead of just storing it away in the basement or closet.

         
PC manufacturers have to also do their part. Consumers should not and cannot be expected to do it all. Manufacturers could make a more eco-friendly, longer lasting computer. Many times manufacturers advertise a computer as new and improved, when actually they could probably produce an upgradeable component that would render the same results and extend the life of an existing computer. PC manufacturers continue to say that they would prefer to have industry solutions before there are government solutions. Additionally, Dell claims a willingness to discuss and talk with officials about what Dell is doing and how they can help develop rules and regulations related to the issue. Thus far, progress and change has been slow on the part of PC manufacturers. One obvious answer for the slow progress is a fear that profits will decrease. One aspect that manufacturers are not looking at are other long-term costs, increased health problems among IT factory workers, which will lead to increased health care costs and increased production costs due to a lack of or exorbitant prices for materials.

As has been the case with other industries (e.g. clothing, athletic shoes, automobile), needed changes to protect the environment and consumers, will probably have to come from the government or a quasi-government entity. Surprisingly, both PC manufacturers and the government are, and have been, aware of these detrimental effects for some time. Interestingly, most changes will not take place until consumers become more aware of the devastating effects. For example, Nike did not address the issue of sweatshops in developing countries until consumers pressured them to investigate charges by threatening a boycott of their athletic apparel. It is just a matter of time before consumers become more aware of the environmental impacts of computers and demand that PC manufacturers and the government do something to start reversing the adverse effects. Hopefully, this will happen before too much damage has been done.