Hello All,
As a further example of how we are destroying the planet this report 
appeared in the EDIE newsletter and it struck me that the idea of making 
'stuff' to last may not be profitable but it is sure as hell sensible 
and desirable in the current economic and 'climate change' climate.
We all know we are running out of raw materials. Yet we continue on this 
self destructive path as if it is all something that will affect someone 
else. Unfortunately we are all caught in this trap. I have a smart phone 
which is just over two years old. It started to go wrong after only one 
year but due to the contract I could do nothing about it unless I had 
taken out an expensive phone protection contract (negates the purpose of 
cheap calls etc) or pay out for a new phone at full rate. I discovered 
from my work colleagues that they have never had a smart phone that has 
lasted more than about 15-18 months on average without packing up 
altogether. The same applies to PC computers and laptops. Even tablets 
have a shelf life which is incredibly short. You may say that operating 
systems change and therefore the computers need to change too but my 
view is that the computer should be capable of being upgraded with the 
new software without having to be scrapped.
So the point here is that these devices are not designed to last but 
merely designed to generate perpetual revenue flows for the companies 
that make them and all at the expense of the planet. Lets face it how 
much energy is used to extract and process these raw materials for a 
single short term use? Far more than the benefit the product generates 
for the end user I'll bet.
Read the report for more detailed information on the waste that we 
generate from raw material.
Regards
Kev C
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?src=nl&id=23607


PS And talking of smart phones and wasted raw materials here is a 
Friends of the Earth petition regarding the use of tin in smart phones 
mined in appalling conditions on the island of Bangka, Indonesia. The 
cost in terms of human suffering is a travesty when the end product 
sells at an astronomical price which these people do not see.
http://www.foe.co.uk/what_we_do/make_it_better_action_37571.html?ic_number=32716860&m_sourcecode=LM1211271&product=CAMP&utm_source=lyris&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email&MID=2136566&hq_e=el&hq_m=2142065&hq_l=2&hq_v=e46b09afd0


-- 
"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare." Japanese Proverb