Phones: some people’s pride and joy.
Even if that’s not the case -you can’t deny that you use your phone on a daily basis sometimes more than you are meant to and miss out on important, irreplaceable time with friends. Maybe we all love our phones a little too much.
Another phenomenon is the new release hype! Once a new model comes out everyone is leaping to buy the new model and loot all of its features . However many do not think before they buy and are unknown to why new phones may not be worth the money.
If you compare a new iPhone 14 to an iPhone 11 for example there is not much difference: maybe an upgraded camera but not enough to splash out again just because it’s a new phone. An early iPhone like the 11 is not only cheaper but comes with most of the same features like a smooth refresh rate, large storage and long battery life ….all whilst being a real bargain.
Why have a phone?
I’m sure most of you know phones have many amazing features.
They give us constant access to social media networks and messaging apps that allow us to keep in contact with friends and family even miles away.
A camera is always on hand to capture memories everywhere and anywhere. A huge advantage is how compact they are.
Of course, they can be a lifeline in an emergency
Why should you be careful with how often you use you phone?
I’m saying this now, as a warning because I know for a fact it will affect our generation in the long run: scientists have raised concerns about the environmental impact of phones and their contribution to climate change. The production, use, and disposal of phones all have significant environmental impacts. In addition, the energy used to charge phones and power data centres that store and process phone data also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The disposal of phones also creates environmental problems, as electronic waste contains hazardous chemicals that can leach into soil and water.
How is it effecting the environment?
Well, according to research, about 70% of us teenagers do not properly understand how detrimental our phones are to the environment now and in the future. It takes a lot of energy to generate and power our devices. So, how is mass amounts of energy produced? In a power station… You may have learnt about this in your science lesson but just to reiterate.
These power stations are usually fuelled by natural gas, coal or oil. This is a non- renewable energy resource which is why why we need to limit our usage of energy. Power stations release greenhouse gasses like CO2 which is a huge contributor to climate change and global warming.
The disposal of phones also creates environmental problems, as electronic waste contains hazardous chemicals that can leach into soil and water.
Scientists are developing solar powered phones but…
With every good idea there are drawbacks. These phones use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to charge the phone’s battery.
Solar-powered phones can be useful in areas where access to electricity is limited or unreliable. They can also be a more environmentally-friendly option, as they reduce the reliance on non-renewable energy sources for charging.
However, it’s worth noting that solar-powered phones may not be as efficient as traditional phones when it comes to charging, as the amount of energy that can be harvested from the sun is limited, and the charging process can take longer. Additionally, solar-powered phones may be more expensive than traditional phones, due to the additional technology required.
by Riddah Abbasi