Scientist Warns Plasma And LCD Televisions Could Be Destroying Our Environment

Scientist Warns Plasma And LCD Televisions Could Be Destroying Our Environment We tend to think our technology must be more efficient than the old; after all, when we are all aware that even the most despised energy company is running ads to show how green it is, it seems a no-brainer that the newer must be more planet-friendly, right? Wrong. Our new plasma and LCD TVs not only are super-slim, sexy and desirable, taking up less space in theliving room, but they also use far more electricity than the old-fashioned cathode tube running in the corner. Funnily enough this is never mentioned by the ads or the keen salesmen. I had to ask twice before finally insisting on being shown that useful little plate on the back. So when I saw the headline of this article from Tom's Hardware I was expecting some scientist to simply confirm what I already knew. And I was wrong,again. I was quite stunned to read this report which claims that a gas used in the production of our new toys,nitrogen trifluoride,(NF3), is 17000 times more damaging than our current big baddie, CO2 The Green Capitalist reckons his 2002 Philips will live a while longer in the corner of my living room. Not only for environmental reasons either. Having paid £600 for the TV changing it now would mean it cost me £100 per annum, and admittedly,if I sell it on eBay I might get some cash back. Ploughing the proceeds back into buying a flash new thin telly guaranteed to push my electricity bill even higher before my CRT snuffs it doesn't seem to make sense. Besides, I have a 20" LCD screen on my PC. This news may well slow the advance in market share of the LCD and Plasma TV. I doubt for long, though, because I'm sure the producers will rapidly find a less harmful production method. So what has this to do with Green investing? It all depends on how rigid you are as an investor. Some of you may wish to avoid the makers for a while, others not.

Wave power

Wave power This is a useful look at renewables from a Norwegian perspective. Although it seems to date back to 2006, their explanations also bring up the names of companies which don't get much coverage, and which well merit a look. Certainly some of the names are well-known, and shipping company Fred Olsen is well known. Norway has stewarded its oil resources well, and has ensured a high quality of life for future citizens. Yes, it has high taxes,but that has long been the Scandinavian model. But with a certain farsightedness which shows just how other other countries have frittered away oil bonanzas by comparison, the Norwegians decided to set a significant part of their oil revenues aside,as a hedge against the inevitable end of black gold.If any country has demonstrated that popular buzzword 'Prudence', then this one is arguably it. The Norwegians may even have a claim on having created the first national sovereign fund. Here in Ireland there are several companies which are actively testing full-size prototypes, but nome seem yet ready for an IPO. In the current climate,when IPOs are as thin on the ground as happy bankers that is hardly a surprise. But one day soon some of these technologies will come to the market for funds. When they do, The Green Capitalist will alert readers,and urge them to fill their boots.