Posted on 03/08/2008 12:53:04 AM PST by Rastus
HANOVER, Germany (AFP) - "I don't care, we're all going to die anyway," says 17-year-old Christian, to laughs from his friends as they play video games at the CeBIT IT fair in Germany.
What he does not care about is the environmental impact of the games console he and his mates are playing in a giant exhibition hall crammed full of other teenagers playing the latest shoot-em-ups, driving games and the like.
Whereas many of the 5,500 exhibitors at CeBIT in Hanover, Germany like IBM and Deutsche Telekom have been at pains to trumpet their green credentials, in Hall 22 there is not a tree-hugger in sight.
Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer travelled to the fair to tell people what the world's largest software company was doing its bit for the environment -- but the company's Xbox games console was not mentioned once in this context.
Indeed a Microsoft Xbox spokesman in Hanover conceded he had never been asked about the environmental impact of the 18 million Xbox 360s sold so far, preferring instead to forward AFP's questions to headquarters.
Worldwide computer use requires 14 power stations for the necessary electricity, producing more harmful carbon dioxide emissions than the entire airline industry -- not including the emissions created and manufacturing and shipping around the products in the first place.
And games consoles -- of which 62 million were sold in last year -- are the gas guzzlers of this industry, using huge amounts of energy to generate the necessary mindblowing graphics and sounds.
When played online, they are linked up to huge server farms which use even more energy.
And with each generation of console -- we are currently on the seventh -- repeatedly made obsolete by the newest technology, millions of machines, games and other accessories are thrown away, destined often for the developing world.
This has not escaped the notice of Greenpeace, which was taking part in CeBIT for the first time, vowing to sort the "greenwash" from the genuine amid all the talk of green IT.
The environmental pressure group issued results of a survey comparing the green credentials of 37 products from 14 major brands, showing modest improvements regarding hazardous substances, energy efficiency and recyclability.
But Nintendo provided no data for the investigation on its Wii console, Micosoft said they had no information, and Sony's details on the PlayStation were "very late and very insufficient," Greenpeace campaigner Zeina Al-Hajj said.
Greenpeace suspects this speaks volumes.
"The industry has not looked at all at the environmental impact of the games console. The amount of energy they consume, especially the XBox and the PlayStation, is massive. There is no evidence that they are acting," Al-Hajj said.
Greenpeace concedes that some improvements have been made, particularly by Nintendo with its Wii in terms of energy consumption and recyclability, but it says much more needs to be done.
"If you can do it in a Wii, why not with a Sony?" Al-Hajj says.
And a spokesman for IBM, which supplies powerful microchips for the Xbox, the Wii and the PlayStation, while keen to talk about the firm's efforts to be greener in its other businesses, does not want to talk about games consoles.
"You would have to ask them," meaning the games consoles makers, IBM spokesman Joerg Winkelmann says. He adds however that processess for making the chips have improved.
Microsoft headquarters did not reply. Nor did AMD, whose processors are also found in many consoles.
Gamers in CeBIT Hall 22 meanwhile carried on playing.
"This doesn't stop me gaming at all. The fun factor is very high and you think first about the fun factor of the games," says Sebastian, a 22-year-old soldier and gaming fanatic.
"Most people who play games don't really think at all of the environment, they think about the fun factor," he says.
Seventeen-year-old Geld from the Netherlands shrugs as the sound of music in the windowless hall pumps louder and louder.
"A washing machine uses more energy than a computer," he says, turning to get on with his game, fingers working madly on the buttons.
CeBIT runs to Sunday.
I work in one of the IBM plants that makes the chips for these games. From a manufacturing standpoint the impact on the environment is a key principle for us.
ROTFLMAO! Why do you think so many tribes were nomadic?
Because camp stunk after a month, that's why! (Grass grazed/trampled, game depleted, crap behind every bush, berries all picked, time to move!)
really?
Yeah the company works hard for its green image.
What Greenpeace can’t stand, indeed what any nanny-stater can’t tolerate, is that somewhere, someone is enjoying life.
“Probably needs a barf alert. These people are totally whacked, though pushing this might end up hurting the effort to indoctrinate the youth in the ways of environmental socialism. Kids aren’t going to give up their Team Fortress 2 in order to appease Greenpeace.”
Oh, this is great and we need more articles like this.
Right now our children are bombarded by the myth that carbon causes global warming and that global warming can be reversed by minor life style changes like switching the type of light bulbs. Just watch how the kiddies reject the environmentalists when they learn that an effective fight against man made global warming requires they must give up their cellphones, TVs, iPods, and their video games.
The global warming scam won’t be stopped by endless arguments over computer models and ‘hockey sticks’ within the scientific community. It will be stopped when the public realizes exactly what steps are necessary to reduce carbon footprints to the levels demanded by the environmentalists. Ever notice that the environmentalists only list goals and not the concrete steps necessary to meet those goals?
The problem is that if you really believe that carbon causes global warming and that it must be stopped, the prescription is draconian cuts in carbon. Stuff like almost ending air travel, prohibiting personal automobiles, outlawing heating and airconditioning in homes, outlawing video games, outlawing houses over 1000 square feet, etc.
When the American public learns the truth of what the environmentalists have planned for them, then the global warming scam will end.
Sonic the Hedgehog? How old is this guy writing this article and has he heard of a video game since 1991?
Yeah, they were one with nature alright. They were confused as to why we swept. I mean dirt just came right back!
Apparently they have never really considered what happened at a buffalo jump--a week or so after the ones on the top of the pile were butchered...but the tribe usually left...and headed upwind.
But it is along the lines of a tag line I have seen around here (sorry, can't remember whose). It is: I'll start worrying about climate change when the people who are lecturing the rest of us start living like it is a problem.
I respect alot of the traditions and beliefs of Native Americans and I firmly believe we can all learn alot about taking what you need and leave the rest (alot take for the sake of taking), but being part Cherokee and Irish/Scottish, I can say I like the not being one with nature thing. As my grandmother said, “I love my Cherokee in me, my mother gave me FABULOUS cheekbones”, hehe. I miss her.
[cue Jaleel White in his other most notable role, Steve Urkel]
“Did I do thaaaaat?”
Hey, Sonic’s making a bit of a comeback lately! He’s even appearing in games with Mario now. But, yeah, he’s not exactly the cool character getting the kids excited anymore.
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