TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY?

I have been thinking a lot lately about buying a new laptop. My computer is only 2 years old in human years, but I think that converts to 18 in computer years. I am frustrated that there isn't just some chip I can buy to make my computer faster and better, instead I have to buy another one (granted: a laptop would be nice!). I still have the even slower computer from 5 years ago collecting dust in the closet. So despite the physical waste factor there is involved with technology, there is also the manufacturing waste factor. "Manufacturing a single MP3 player releases about 17 pounds of planet-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere." (Wall Street Journal) So who is at blame for all this waste? Is it US companies that hire Chinese manufacturers? Or is it China who’s primary source of energy is still coal? This is going to be a major point of contention at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali on December 14th, 2007. Stay tuned.
Justine Aylward
Ecomerge

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• Info on the conference:
  http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_13/items/4049.php
• Info on coal (very interesting!):
  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/business/worldbusiness/11chinacoal.html?ex=1307678400en=e9ac1f6255a24fd8ei=5088partner=rssnytemc=rss