| Every day, more and more bad news hits the | | | | known to interfere with the climate system. |
| media about global warming, climate change and | | | | In 1992, few liquid crystal display LCD's were |
| pollution. Every day new products are developed | | | | being manufactured, so the gas was not |
| and every day more chemicals are added to the | | | | considered a major problem at the time, but that |
| list of pollutants to our atmosphere and water. | | | | is rapidly changing. |
| One of the latest chemicals to draw the attention | | | | In 2008 alone, the production of this chemical |
| of the scientists is nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), a | | | | would release the equivalent of the global-warming |
| chemical is used in the production liquid crystal | | | | emissions from a country the size of Austria and |
| displays (LCD), also called flat-panel displays, along | | | | production could double in 2009. |
| with thin-film solar cells and microcircuits. The | | | | In February of 2009, the television industry in the |
| most popular use of LCD displays is for televisions | | | | United States is making a full transition to digital |
| and computer monitors. | | | | technology. With that will be an increase in the |
| NASA is reporting that the level of this gas in our | | | | demand for LCD flat screen televisions. |
| atmosphere is much greater than previously | | | | Manufacturers are promoting LCD televisions as |
| thought. As the manufacture and disposal of | | | | "eco-friendly" as a benefit to switching from |
| these LCD screens increase, so will the emissions | | | | analog television to digital television. In comparison, |
| of nitrogen trifluoride into our atmosphere. | | | | they do use less electricity than plasma TV's, |
| According to reports, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), | | | | older rear projection, and analog TV"s. |
| remains in the atmosphere for up to 740 years | | | | What isn't taken into consideration is that many |
| and is only second to Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) in | | | | Americans, keeping true to their "bigger is better" |
| its global warming potential. This chemical has a | | | | mentality, will purchase larger replacement |
| greater greenhouse impact than even that of the | | | | televisions which will use even more electricity |
| world's largest coal-fired plants. Its "globe-warming | | | | than their old televisions. |
| effect reportedly could be 17,000 times more | | | | The discarding of millions of the old analog |
| potent than a similar mass of carbon dioxide". | | | | televisions will be another ecological nightmare. |
| [NASA] | | | | Televisions, along with all electronics, contain toxic |
| Nitrogen trifluoride is missing from the list of | | | | chemicals. Improper recycling will only add to the |
| greenhouse gasses addressed in the Koyoto | | | | ecological harm our garbage is causing to the |
| Protocol and little to nothing has been heard about | | | | planet. |
| this chemical. Why is this extremely toxic chemical | | | | To truly go green when you purchase a new |
| called the "missing greenhouse gas" from the | | | | television, |
| Koyoto Protocol and what is the Koyoto | | | | Don't opt for the largest screen you can buy. |
| Protocol? | | | | Recycle your old television through a |
| In 1992, a United Nations Conference on Climate | | | | reputable recycler. |
| Change formulated the Kyoto Protocol. This | | | | Turn your television off when it is not being |
| protocol set the standards for reduction of six | | | | watched. |
| greenhouse gasses (carbon dioxide, methane, | | | | Spend less time in front of the television. |
| nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride | | | | Spend more time outdoors where the air is |
| (hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons)that are | | | | probably cleaner. |