Convert from paper to digital

I am offended by the lack of responsibility that newspapers display with regard to their carbon footprints.

Paper production starts with a tree that is converted to pulp. The pulp is dehydrated and pressed and chemicals added to achieve the desired color and texture. The paper is then transported to the printing press where ink is applied, the papers are cut and bundled. This product is transported by trucks and cars. One day later the paper is obsolete and becomes another energy waste even recycled.

I can think of no other industry that is committed to judicious use of energy in message, but flagrantly behaves in the opposite in practice. Making it even more egregious is the fact that there is an alternative that uses minute amounts of energy: online publishing.

Converting to a digital product would cost newspaper companies money and influence. It does not say much for the current ethical and moral conviction of an industry that has had a long and distinguished history of service to this country.

This story was originally published September 18, 2017 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Convert from paper to digital."