Scientists call smartphones culprits of devastating hurricanes in USA

By Alimat Aliyeva

Research suggests that the devastating hurricanes that hit the United States this year could be linked to modern technology, including smartphones like the iPhone, Azernews reports.

The article highlights that the production and operation of mobile devices contribute to the release of approximately 580 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually — a figure higher than the emissions from the entire aviation industry. These emissions, in turn, contribute to the warming of oceans, creating conditions that fuel the formation of powerful storms, such as Hurricane Milton, which left millions of Floridians without power in October.

According to scientists, every stage of smartphone production — from the extraction of raw materials to disposal and recycling — involves significant energy consumption and leads to the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases. The carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of a single smartphone are estimated to be around 180 pounds, which is equivalent to the carbon emissions produced by driving a car for half a year.

However, the environmental impact does not end with production. Charging, using, and eventually disposing of smartphones further contribute to harmful emissions. Scientists also warn that toxic substances from batteries, when discarded in landfills, can seep into the soil, contaminating the environment and exacerbating global warming. This, in turn, could increase the frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and other extreme weather events.

As the world becomes more dependent on technology, the long-term environmental effects of mobile device production and use are growing concerns. Researchers are calling for more sustainable practices, including the development of eco-friendly materials and better recycling processes, to mitigate the impact of smartphones on the climate and reduce the frequency of devastating natural disasters.