Phones: Earth's Atmosphere Polluters?

Smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives, with nearly five billion people worldwide using them. However, the environmental cost of manufacturing and using these devices is significant and probably far greater than most people realize. From the mining of precious metals to the energy consumption associated with data centres, smartphones contribute to global warming, ecosystem destruction, and air pollution. The production and use of smartphones have both direct and indirect impacts on the Earth's atmosphere, and addressing these issues requires a combination of efforts from manufacturers, consumers, and policymakers.

The energy used for digital consumption has a large environmental impact

The energy consumption of data centres is set to soon have a bigger carbon footprint than the entire aviation industry. Data centres are huge agglomerations of circuitry, cables, and cooling systems that underpin the digital economy. About 70% of the world's online traffic is thought to pass through Loudoun County, Virginia, which is home to data centres used by about 3,000 tech companies.

The vast majority of electricity used in the world's data centres comes from non-renewable sources. For instance, according to a 2017 Greenpeace report, only 1% of the electricity supplied to data centres in Loudoun County, Virginia, comes from credibly renewable sources. This reliance on non-renewable energy sources has a significant environmental impact, contributing to carbon emissions and climate change.

The production of smartphones also has a significant environmental impact. The extraction of metals such as gold, tin, and rare earth elements for use in smartphones has led to ecological devastation, deforestation, and the contamination of drinking water and fish with toxic substances. Additionally, the generation of vast amounts of solid and liquid waste (mine "tailings") during the mining process poses risks to the environment and human health, as highlighted by recent catastrophic mine tailings spills.

To reduce the environmental impact of smartphone use, manufacturers can increase product lifetimes, simplify recycling processes, and improve transparency around their sourcing and environmental practices.

Mining rare metals for phones can cause catastrophic waste spills

Mining rare metals for phones can indeed cause catastrophic waste spills. The elements that make phone displays colourful, glass screens crack-resistant, and metal frames lightweight include gold, iron, aluminium, copper, and praseodymium. The mining of iron, aluminium, and copper creates tons of solid and liquid waste called mine tailings, which are contained in huge structures. However, dam failures and spills can and do occur.

In 2015, a dam collapse in Brazil released 33 million cubic meters of iron ore mine tailings, killing 19 people. The toxic waste later flowed into the Atlantic Ocean. This is just one example of the catastrophic consequences that can result from mining for rare metals.

There are two primary methods for rare earth element (REE) mining, and both release toxic chemicals into the environment. The first method involves removing topsoil and creating a leaching pond where chemicals are added to the extracted earth to separate metals. However, these leaching ponds, full of toxic chemicals, may leak into groundwater and affect entire waterways if not properly secured.

The second method involves drilling holes into the ground using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes and rubber hoses to pump chemicals into the earth, which also creates a leaching pond with similar risks. In addition, PVC pipes are sometimes left in areas, further contaminating the environment.

Both methods produce mountains of toxic waste and pose significant environmental and health hazards. For every ton of rare earth produced, the mining process yields 13kg of dust, 9,600-12,000 cubic meters of waste gas, 75 cubic meters of wastewater, and one ton of radioactive residue. This is due to the rare earth element ores containing metals that, when mixed with leaching pond chemicals, contaminate air, water, and soil. Furthermore, rare earth ores are often laced with radioactive thorium and uranium, resulting in detrimental health effects. Overall, for every ton of rare earth, 2,000 tons of toxic waste are produced.

The environmental impact of rare earth mining is significant, and the industry is wrestling with a legacy of environmental problems. Mining can contaminate the environment, disrupt ecosystems, and produce large amounts of wastewater and toxic waste.

Gold mining for phones is a major cause of deforestation

The outbreak of illegal gold mining in the Amazon, especially in Brazil, is a significant contributor to deforestation. Between 2018 and 2023, the area occupied by gold mines in the Amazon doubled from 963,000 to 1.9 million hectares. This is due to a sharp increase in gold prices, which jumped from $1,300 per ounce in 2018 to $2,300 per ounce in 2023.

Illegal gold mining has severe environmental and social impacts. It often occurs on riverbanks, destroying entire layers of soil and making it nearly impossible for the forest to regenerate. Miners also use mercury to separate gold from ore, contaminating water sources and affecting the health of Indigenous communities. Furthermore, illegal mining encroaches on protected areas and threatens the well-being of Indigenous peoples.

To address this issue, it is crucial to distinguish legally mined gold from that obtained through illegal means. Certification schemes and strengthening national and local policies to combat illegal deforestation are necessary. Additionally, international mechanisms to increase the traceability of mineral supply chains can help curb illegal mining.

Rare earth extraction involves toxic waste and ecosystem destruction

The extraction of rare earth metals involves the removal of large amounts of earth and rock, which often leads to deforestation and ecosystem destruction. The refining processes use harsh chemicals, contaminating water supplies and creating toxic waste.

The mining of rare earth metals can result in the removal of vast amounts of earth and rock, leading to significant ecological changes. This process often contributes to deforestation and the fragmentation of ecosystems, which can have far-reaching consequences on biodiversity and species populations. Additionally, the use of harsh chemicals in the refining process can result in water contamination and the generation of toxic waste.

The extraction of rare earth metals can have detrimental effects on the environment. It involves the removal of substantial amounts of earth and rock, often resulting in deforestation and the destruction of ecosystems. The refining processes employed in the extraction of these metals frequently involve the use of harsh chemicals, which can contaminate water sources and generate toxic waste.

The process of mining rare earth metals often involves the removal of large amounts of earth and rock, which can have significant impacts on the surrounding environment. This can lead to deforestation and the destruction of ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and species populations. Furthermore, the refining processes used in the extraction of these metals often involve harsh chemicals, which can contaminate water supplies and create toxic waste.

The extraction of rare earth metals is a complex process that can have detrimental effects on the environment. It often involves the removal of large amounts of earth and rock, leading to deforestation and ecosystem destruction. The refining processes used in the extraction of these metals frequently introduce harsh chemicals into the environment, contaminating water sources, and generating toxic waste.

Tin mining for phones has destroyed coral ecosystems

Tin mining for phones has destroyed coral reef ecosystems near Indonesia. The sand around Indonesia's Bangka and Belitung Islands supplies about a third of the world's tin. Large-scale dredging of the seabed for tin-rich sand has destroyed the coral ecosystem.

Tin is used for soldering in electronics. Indium-tin oxide is applied to smartphone screens as a thin, transparent, and conductive coating that gives touchscreen functionality.

Samsung and Apple deal with companies that use tin mined on Bangka Island in Indonesia. They may not have known about the devastating effects of mining on the island. In 2011, an average of one miner a week died in an accident, according to police figures.

Coral and sea life are threatened by tin mining. Silt from tin mining is killing seagrass eaten by turtles and coral reefs, driving away fish, and ruining fishermen's livelihoods.

Experts say that innovative design and better reuse of old phones could cut the demand for tin.

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