Flat screen TVs bad for Earth? - Singapore's Online Community

**Voodoo Vince** · 06-07-2008, 06:23 AM

Flat screen TVs bad for Earth?
Gas used in production blamed for damaging atmosphere
July 06, 2008

FLAT screen TV sets look great, right?

But there is a problem.

It seems the rising popularity of the slim and sleek devices has not been good for the environment.

A gas used in their manufacture, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), is being blamed for damaging the atmosphere, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Almost half of the TV sets sold around the world so far this year have plasma or LCD flat screens.

The gas, estimated to be 17,000 times as powerful as carbon dioxide, is said to be accelerating global warming.

NF3 is not covered by the Kyoto protocol as it was produced in only tiny amounts when the treaty was signed in 1997.

Levels of this gas in the atmosphere have not been measured, but scientists say it is a concern and are calling for it to be included in any future emissions cutting agreement.

OUTPUT
Professor Michael Prather from the University of California said the output of the gas needed to be measured.

'It's the kind of gas that's made in huge amounts,' he was quoted as saying.

'Not only is it not in the Kyoto Treaty but you don't even have to report it. That's the part that worries me.'

He estimates 4,000 tons of NF3 will be produced in 2008 and that number is likely to double next year.

'We don't know what's emitted, but what they're producing every year dwarfs these giant coal-fired power plants that are like the biggest in the world,' he said.

'And it dwarfs two of the Kyoto gases. So the real question we don't know is how much is escaping and getting out.'

According to The Daily Telegraph, the gas produced is enough to match the annual carbon dioxide emissions of a country like Austria.

Prof Prather estimates that if the entire annual production of NF3 was released into the atmosphere it would have the equivalent effect on the Earth's climate as 67 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

IMPACT
But another scientist, Dr Paul Fraser, said that without measuring the quantity of NF3 in the atmosphere it is unclear what impact it will have on the climate.

'We haven't observed it in the atmosphere. It's probably there in very low concentrations,' he was quoted as saying.

'The key to whether it's a problem or not is how much is released to the atmosphere.'

A UK government official was quoted as saying: 'This is an issue that affects every country, and we're working with other members of EU to ensure that all new synthetic greenhouse gases, including NF3, are covered as part of any future UN climate change agreements.

'We expect to be able to deal with this issue as part of a new global climate treaty in Copenhagen next year.'

http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...70014,00.html?

**facevoid** · 06-07-2008, 05:51 PM

lol. but one set of TV can last two three years what. XD

**sotong7447** · 07-07-2008, 04:09 PM

too bad for the GOV then thought they suppose to think B4 hand not after whahaha

JessicaSilkwood · 07-07-2008, 04:10 PM

**Voodoo Vince** · 08-07-2008, 07:56 AM

Wonder next time what gas they will use for the screen.

**KongMing** · 09-07-2008, 06:25 PM

Next time no need for screen.

cute wormz · 09-07-2008, 06:26 PM

maybe shld change to projection on the wall or the...??? forgt call wat le

**XxbloodxX** · 09-07-2008, 06:30 PM

If TV is harmfull ur steak is more harmfull LOL

Cow 'emissions' more damaging to planet than CO2 from cars

By Geoffrey Lean, Environment Editor
Sunday, 10 December 2006

Meet the world's top destroyer of the environment. It is not the car, or the plane,or even George Bush: it is the cow.

A United Nations report has identified the world's rapidly growing herds of cattle as the greatest threat to the climate, forests and wildlife. And they are blamed for a host of other environmental crimes, from acid rain to the introduction of alien species, from producing deserts to creating dead zones in the oceans, from poisoning rivers and drinking water to destroying coral reefs.

The 400-page report by the Food and Agricultural Organisation, entitled Livestock's Long Shadow, also surveys the damage done by sheep, chickens, pigs and goats. But in almost every case, the world's 1.5 billion cattle are most to blame. Livestock are responsible for 18 per cent of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together.

Burning fuel to produce fertiliser to grow feed, to produce meat and to transport it - and clearing vegetation for grazing - produces 9 per cent of all emissions of carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas. And their wind and manure emit more than one third of emissions of another, methane, which warms the world 20 times faster than carbon dioxide.

Livestock also produces more than 100 other polluting gases, including more than two-thirds of the world's emissions of ammonia, one of the main causes of acid rain.

Ranching, the report adds, is "the major driver of deforestation" worldwide, and overgrazing is turning a fifth of all pastures and ranges into desert.Cows also soak up vast amounts of water: it takes a staggering 990 litres of water to produce one litre of milk.

Wastes from feedlots and fertilisers used to grow their feed overnourish water, causing weeds to choke all other life. And the pesticides, antibiotics and hormones used to treat them get into drinking water and endanger human health.

The pollution washes down to the sea, killing coral reefs and creating "dead zones" devoid of life. One is up to 21,000sqkm, in the Gulf of Mexico, where much of the waste from US beef production is carried down the Mississippi.

The report concludes that, unless drastic changes are made, the massive damage done by livestock will more than double by 2050, as demand for meat increases.

**Voodoo Vince** · 09-07-2008, 06:34 PM

Wow, didn't know that.

**ggnore** · 09-07-2008, 07:05 PM

hmm interesting

**ffchaser** · 12-07-2008, 08:21 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by XxbloodxX
	If TV is harmfull ur steak is more harmfull LOL Cow 'emissions' more damaging to planet than CO2 from cars By Geoffrey Lean, Environment Editor Sunday, 10 December 2006 Meet the world's top destroyer of the environment. It is not the car, or the plane,or even George Bush: it is the cow. A United Nations report has identified the world's rapidly growing herds of cattle as the greatest threat to the climate, forests and wildlife. And they are blamed for a host of other environmental crimes, from acid rain to the introduction of alien species, from producing deserts to creating dead zones in the oceans, from poisoning rivers and drinking water to destroying coral reefs. The 400-page report by the Food and Agricultural Organisation, entitled Livestock's Long Shadow, also surveys the damage done by sheep, chickens, pigs and goats. But in almost every case, the world's 1.5 billion cattle are most to blame. Livestock are responsible for 18 per cent of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together. Burning fuel to produce fertiliser to grow feed, to produce meat and to transport it - and clearing vegetation for grazing - produces 9 per cent of all emissions of carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas. And their wind and manure emit more than one third of emissions of another, methane, which warms the world 20 times faster than carbon dioxide. Livestock also produces more than 100 other polluting gases, including more than two-thirds of the world's emissions of ammonia, one of the main causes of acid rain. Ranching, the report adds, is "the major driver of deforestation" worldwide, and overgrazing is turning a fifth of all pastures and ranges into desert.Cows also soak up vast amounts of water: it takes a staggering 990 litres of water to produce one litre of milk. Wastes from feedlots and fertilisers used to grow their feed overnourish water, causing weeds to choke all other life. And the pesticides, antibiotics and hormones used to treat them get into drinking water and endanger human health. The pollution washes down to the sea, killing coral reefs and creating "dead zones" devoid of life. One is up to 21,000sqkm, in the Gulf of Mexico, where much of the waste from US beef production is carried down the Mississippi. The report concludes that, unless drastic changes are made, the massive damage done by livestock will more than double by 2050, as demand for meat increases.

i read a report that to counter this, we shd all be switching diet to insects!

**takashi miyo** · 13-07-2008, 12:18 AM

wah. i using it right now!!

goblin · 13-07-2008, 12:22 AM

	Quote:
	A gas used in their manufacture, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), is being blamed for damaging the atmosphere, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

just keep doing that. the matter will be solved one day. magically.