We are now much more conscious of our impact on the environment. Many of us carry our own bags to save on plastic, we think about wastage and make choices that we feel are better for the environment. But do we as consumers think about the impact of our new gadgets? How much impact does mining our cryptocoins have on the environment?

The visable cost new gadgets

Electronics (and any gadget) requires a raw resource. Modern electronics contain many rare metals that are expensive and energy inefficient to extract. There are visible scars to our planet, left by these mines. Some mines on Bangka island are up to 800 feet wide. These gaping holes sit rudely where nature, trees and animals once thrived.

Human Cost

Not only is there a cost to our planet but there is a human cost. There have been many terrible mining disasters claiming hundreds of lives each year. Recent events in Bangka, Indonesia serve to remind us of these dangers. Many of these workers are being paid less than $5 a day to extract ores for our $1000+ gadgets.

The after life of gadgets

We are aware of the cost that goes into making our shiny gadgets. But there is more. The afterlife. Our wonderful gadgets don't go to gadget heaven, although I do wonder about my old Nokia 3310! Many of these gadgets are ending up in landfills, leeching harmful chemicals into our beautiful planet.

The gadgets that are lucky enough to be recycled will go onto have another life. However, recycling gadgets requires further input of energy. Energy that comes from oil or coal. And once again recycling has an enormous human impact. This can be seen in some Indian slums where people are deconstructing our gadgets in terrible conditions with extremely harmful chemicals and no protection.

Find the most environmentally friendly phones on https://www.rethink-it.org.

What can we do?

Consume less where possible.
Buy devices that can be repaired more easily .
Extend the life of our gadgets for as long as possible. Upgrades.
Question, heavily, the energy that is consumed mining cryptocurrencies. Here's hoping someone can innovate a new model.
Spread the word so that people are more conscious of their choices.