Raise your hands if you own one of those nice flat-screen TVs? My hand is up. I replaced my old tube television about six month’s ago, and opted for a large, flat-screen LCD. It turns out these TVs are really bad for the environment in a couple ways.
First, these TVs contain nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), the same environmentally harmful gas found in the new 3G iPhone. This gas is estimated to be 17,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and there will be about 4,000 tons of it will be produced per year.
In addition, large, flat-screen TVs use much more energy than traditional tube television sets. I was a bit suspicious when I felt the huge amount of heat my LCD TV emitted when compared with my old TV set. Next time you think about getting a new TV, you may want to think twice. I was going to replace another old TV of mine, but now I think I’ll hold off on doing so.
Good article,
I just have on question: what’s the alternative? To big flat screens that is. Technology and consumer demand is driving older TVs obsolete everyday. It just seems to me that soon all TVs will be big, flat, and suped up.
You can buy small LCD TV. instead of going for a big screen.
Johny,
Agreed and great point. In fact, I recently decided to forgo purchasing a large screen LCD, and instead kept my 18 year old tube TV. I’m sure the picture and experience aren’t as great, but I’m saving a ton of energy, AND I’m not adding more toxic crap to our landfills.
ipod case guy
Unfortunately, the best (reasonable) alternatives are to stick with the TV you currently have, go with a smaller LCD TV, or go with no TV (which probably isn’t reasonable).
The name of the game isn’t to make our lives miserable. However, sacrifices and smart lifestyles should be accounted for. Can you live with the TV you have now? Are you okay with a TV that’s not quite as large? Are there more energy efficient TVs you can purchase? Can you watch less TV? Do you turn your TV off when you aren’t watching it? Going green may sometimes involve sacrifices – remember, it’s not being miserable, but being smart!