How does a computer produce carbon dioxide?

Question

A programme on Sky News recently claimed computers are now producing as much CO2 as aircraft; I am at a loss as to the mechanism by which this happens.

Answer 1

Pretty simple really.

Computers run on electricity.

Electricity is largely produced by power plants burning fossil fuels.

Sky News is claiming that the total amount of CO2 released by the oil/gas/coal used to produce the amount of electricity currently used by computers is about the same as the CO2 currently released by aircraft.

Considering the number of computers in use, this does not seem particularly unreasonable.

Answer 2

The other respondents are right to point to the power the computer consumes (dissipates). Moreover, there are the processes required to make the components of the computer in the first place. That takes energy, and probably also some chemical processes starting with fossil fuel and ending with materials in the parts (plastics) with maybe CO2 as a byproduct. Then, at the end of the computer's life, somebody has to mess with it to keep the hazardous material from getting into the landfills or the air. No doubt, this process takes additional energy.

Answer 3

Computers require electrical power and most electrical power is produced from coal or fossil fuels.

Answer 4

mine runs on parrafin or red diesel
its so old,probably its the way electricity is made and how much is used by demand to power pc's worldwide that is causing a problem but in a non direct way

Answer 5

what if Electricity at my house came from Dam?

Answer 6

simple,it can not produce co2

Answer 7

not unless your computer is a plant