Desktops and laptops use far more energy than ebook readers. They use far more plastics and metals, requiring more non-renewable resources than ebook readers. And smartphones are as bad as ebook readers (but with smaller screens - I don't know how people can use them to read books; they hurt my eyes). The saving grace is that they are more powerful, and they're multi-purpose. Don't get me wrong, I'm a techno-geek and love high-tech gadgets, including desktops and laptops, ebook readers, and even smartphones. But, I have no illusions that they are green devices (I worked in the semiconductor industry for nearly two decades).
Paper, on the other hand, can be made from many different pulp-producing sources, not just trees, and those sources are all renewable. Some of the manufacturing processes are not environmentally friendly, but that could change, and is much improved today, compared to several decades ago. Paper books and publications are also much more durable (I have books in my library that are more than 100 years old, and are still perfectly readable - try that with your smartphone, just 20 years from now; I bet it won't even power up), and paper can be recycled more easily and completely, than any of the aforementioned electronic devices; and require no energy to read (other than your own mental energy).
I think the rush to completely replace paper publications with electronic versions is premature and misguided.
BTW, one well-placed EMP can wipe out all your electronic devices, rendering your electronic libraries null and void (unless, of course, you're in the habit of storing them in a lead lined container).
Cheers.
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