They... don't impact the environment. The trees they use were planted for the sole purpose of being harvested. And new trees are planted for every tree that's harvested.
~~If anything, they're a net positive for the environment, since they're sequestering carbon into books.~~
EDIT: I'll acquiesce that they may not be a net positive, since there are carbon costs associated with the entire process. But, using purpose-grown trees is hard to consider as a net negative.
And, if we're talking about the entire process, e-books are not carbon-zero products either.
1. They use our land to plant a monoculture of pine trees. Zero biodiversity.
2. They use our roads for giant logging trucks that degrade the roads and endanger other drivers.
3. They use our air and our water for paper processing which emits TONS of deadly chemicals.
These publishers have blood on their hands. Force them to publish online only. Close the tree farms, close the paper mill. Convert the tree farms into public parks. Save Mother Earth!
Corn and wheat are essential food items. There is no "digital alternative" to corn and wheat. No one should need to buy a physical book/newspaper in this day and age.
These wood pulp tree farms are producing luxury consumption items for the middle and upper class. Working class people don't read physical newspapers
Yes, and industrial farming is a known major problem that wreaks havoc on the environment and in the case of animal farming at an industrial scale commits horrible atrocities. So yes, you are right... it is not just pulp trees at issue.
~~If anything, they're a net positive for the environment, since they're sequestering carbon into books.~~
EDIT: I'll acquiesce that they may not be a net positive, since there are carbon costs associated with the entire process. But, using purpose-grown trees is hard to consider as a net negative.
And, if we're talking about the entire process, e-books are not carbon-zero products either.