Digital books 'making reading greener'
E-readers are more eco-friendly than paperbacks, according to research
Buying paperback novels could soon be a thing of the past, after research revealed that digital books are more eco-friendly than their physical counterparts.
The study by CleanTech found that so called e-readers have more of a positive environmental impact than the publishing industry's efforts to cut carbon emissions through recycling.
It claimed that the benefits of electronic reading devices will also massively outweigh the damage caused by manufacturing the systems.
The report added: "E-readers will have a staggering impact on improving the sustainability and environmental impact on one of the world's most polluting industries: the publishing of books, newspapers and magazines."
However, the widespread use of such systems could still be a while coming, as internet giants Amazon and Google have come to blows over a deal which would see the latter given rights to digitise millions of books still under copyright.
Amazon, which has a strong position in the market thanks to its Kindle e-reader, has claimed the settlement could impact on competition in the market.
The Author's Guild, one of the bodies that would be paid under the deal, said Amazon was being hypocritical, adding: "It dominates online bookselling and the fledgling e-book industry."
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Comments
Not for me, there's something so comforting about a book, I love having them on shelves too. A progressive step we don't need.
I agree about the feel of a volume in the hand, and yes the pleasure of a vintage edition tor the eye.
Sounds very promising. However, I can't imagine curling up with one of these when reading a good novel, or some poetry. Sometimes only old-fashioned paper and print will do. Also the smell of an old leather binding.
What would Guttenberg have to say about it all I wonder?
In response to Sacha Blackburn, id say its almost a certainty that 'ebook' readers will turn to electronic paper at some stage, it is essentially a screen, however it mimics the qualities of ink on paper, so there is no backlight and it reflects light the same as paper / ink would so it will only strain your eyes the same reading a book rather than a screen, it only draws power when the ink needs changing (turning a page etc).
While this technology is in its infancy the way things are heading currently ebook readers will probably appear almost identical to books, be flexible and more durable than books and easily recharged simply by placing it on a table or storing away in a shelf (like you would with a book) and considering the power consumption for epaper is so low the battery life would be extremely long.
While this isnt the case now, id say that this is the way things are heading quickly, but as Douglas Adams said, if you're over 30 new technology is against the natural order of things and will destroy civilisation, but in 10 years, if its still around, you'll learn to accept it.
Dont forget this technology is only just taking off, its got a long way to go, encourage its development rather than dismiss it as pointless.
my eyes hurt enough after working at my laptop all day without reading books on a screen as well!!! plus, a book is just nice and wont break when it gets wet or sat on or dropped, will never run out of power or overheat!
I really really want an ebook, when oh when will the kindle come over here and WHEN will there actually be digital books in circulation that I want to read...