Smartphone charging generates megatons of 'dirty energy'

Juniper Research issued a report alleging that smartphone battery charging will generate more than 13 megatons of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) of greenhouse gases annually around the world by 2019. That is more than double the amount estimated to be generated this year. Half of the expected 2019 emissions--equivalent to annual emissions from 1.1 million cars--will stem from coal-fired Asian electricity grids, Juniper said.

The firm suggested vendors should demand energy providers deliver more "green" electricity by investing in renewable energy technologies. It also said vendors can directly impact emissions by making energy-efficient components and applications standard features of their devices, which should please consumers as well because those moves would prolong device battery life. For more, see this Juniper release.