December 11, 2006
It has come to our attention that there is some confusion right now as to whether or not this sort of thing makes a good Christmas present. And so before anyone goes off embarrassing themselves buying one for that special someone, we feel a certain compulsion to weigh in on the matter.
We really don't think it's a good idea.
Now we know, we know what you're saying: But, but...It's an entire wall of high definition plasma TV goodness! And at $69,999.95, the fact that they priced it a whole nickel shy of the 70k mark just screams "Savings!" They're even offering 'special financing'... What's not to love?
And for the most part we'd agree. Having a life savings or putting kids through college is probably overrated anyway.
But ask yourself this, is the flat-screen environmentally friendly? Have you thought of that? We thought so. But that's why we have the BBC, to bring us this crucial information just in time to alert you as to how bad a person you are and to ruin the entire experience.
Flat-screen TVs - a Christmas "must-have" in many households - are among the latest gadgets to be black-listed by environmentalists for their heavy power consumption.
In terms of carbon emissions, the EST says old-style TVs produce 100kg of climate-warming CO2 per year - while larger, plasma screens (there are no small plasma TVs) will pump out 400kg.Now they aren't saying you can't buy a plasma set, you can. But for Pete's sake be smart about it. Small screen, unobtrusive, low wattage, LCD if possible, andSupporting these claims, the EST points to research from the government-funded Market Transformation Programme, which advises the government on sustainability policy.
This says that, on average, the power consumption of a cathode-ray screen is 3.4 watts per screen inch, while plasma uses 9.4 watts per screen inch - based on figures from 2005.
In any event, now that you are armed with this information and have been properly shamed informed, we trust that you'll go out and make the right decision.
And no, in case anyone reading was wondering, that type of set is not what we want for Christmas. So no plasma TV surprises, people, please, no matter that it's a lovely gesture. If you must spend money on us, we typically prefer things that are a bit more sensible.
What?
It's cheaper than that TV, that's for sure. And if you want to talk carbon, well, we think there are other menaces out there that are a tad more pressing.
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