So, this one is kind of a no-brainer that I should have done long ago, especially considering how it easy it actually turned out to be: change my bank account statements to paperless.
I moved out of my parent's place back in August 2005, but have been receiving monthly bank statements and credit card bills there every month - I never even open them when I come home to visit since I check all my banking online. That was about 52 unnecessary statements -I'm sure that makes a pretty big heap!
So, I realize that I use a lot more than 52 statements worth (about 100-150 sheets of paper plus 104 envelopes) during my studies, but every little bit counts. And now I don't have a stack of useless statements making me feel guilty sitting at home waiting for me at every visit!
So many of you are probably already on the ball with this one, and have switched to paperless banking long ago, but if you haven't -do it!
Happy Friday Everyone!
OK, Heidi, I have a problem here... Or rather, several problems.
ReplyDelete1. Decreasing paper banking (and billing, etc.) will only increase computers (home computers, servers), which means more e-waste, which is more damaging to the environment because of highly toxic metals.
2. Asking people to reduce paper banking means that you put the onus on the consumer to do something, but the big culprit is bisunes. Just think of the endless junk mail and flyers we receive every day.
3. Why stop at banking (and billing, etc.)? Why not ban newspapers, magazines (read them online), and, while we're at it, books (use Kindle)? Isn't there a risk of promoting even more isolation and even less contact between human beings?
So, I think that you should consider more than one factor: just replacing something by something else just hides the problem and pushes it further from our eyes.
Cheers,
P.
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
I will try my best to address your concerns:
1. Since you are looking at this blog I assume that you either own or have access to a computer at Queen's or a local library already, so that means doing paperless banking does not require you to go and buy a computer (not do I suggest it! but good point, e-waste is definitely more hazardous than paper). I think this is true for everyone who is reading my blog, so suggesting that they move to paperless banking is not going to incite someone to go buy a computer. It is simply something you can do if you already have access to the internet.
2. I am only one small person with a minimal sphere of influence who is trying to do a small act every day and encourage others to be more conscientious about their actions. Even small things add up, and will maybe encourage people to think about "the big picture".
Also, it is a bit of a hassle, but you can unsubscribe to junk mails/ flyers, or put a "No Flyers" poster on your mail box.
3. Again, I am just making small, reasonable suggestions. I don't entirely understand your argument here as well: how does replacing paper versions of books and newspapers with e-versions further isolate citizens?
Again I assuming that you have access to the internet, and most local and national newspapers have e-versions which you can subscribe to and view on either your own computer or at a public terminal somewhere in your community. Therefore, you won't be any more isolate than before. If worse comes to worse, listen to the CBC :) (Sorry if I didn't get your point right here)
And, to further address your point: you can't force people to do something as radical as ban books and newspapers right now, especially in this transition period to electronic data (in maybe 20-30 years this may become a more viable option though). Right now the best way (in my humble opinion) is to inspire people to think about the repercussions of their actions, to make small changes and encourage future generations to be even more innovative than we are. Big things often start small.
And, to address your final point - I agree that not all my suggestions are addressing the entire situation. As you are well aware, I am a full time Engineering student and only have so much time to dedicate to this task everyday. If I could, I would love to look more into the issues and perhaps suggest more all-encompassing solutions. But what I feel that I am doing here is inspiring people to think about the world around them and be aware of the repercussions of their actions.
Thanks so much for your comment Paul!
I hope all is well out East :)
Heidi