GoingToMeet

The acceleration of scientific achievement in the last few decades was enabled by computers. During this time significant changes have begun to occur in our natural environment as a result of technological development, social changes, and the massive production and consumption of computing equipment. The lifetime of a computer - production, use, and disposal - makes it closely tied to the environment. Its production involves trace metals and other substances that pose health hazards in the handling toxics in production and end-of-life processes. Computer use can lead to environmental benefits with the study complex environmental systems, greater ecological education, or enabling "paper-less" offices. Then at the end of a useful lifetime, computers create disposal challenges posed by hazardous materials present and difficulties in recycling.