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Electronic sports also known as esports is a relatively new phenomenon that has gained a lot of attraction in the last decade. But, just like any growing industry, esports has an effect on the environment and thus has to also take action. Though esports have a rather negative impact on the environment when it comes to energy usage and e-waste, there are some encouraging initiatives in the process. In this piece, an attempt is made to discuss the issues related to the environment as suffered by the esports industry and prospects for change in the future.
1: Gaming PCs and Consoles: Games, laptops, and consoles used in interaction and especially in high-quality performance have high power requirements. As gamers, they spend long hours on their games, which increases the usage of electricity in the house. Also, due to their software applications, hardware and firmware require frequent updates and maintenance and they are always on and hence consuming power.
2: Data Centers and Servers: One can also regard the servers and data centers that store, distribute, and facilitate interactions within games and streams as the backbone of esports. These facilities entail the use of large amounts of energy in the running of the equipment and cooling making them expand their carbon footprint.
3: Event Venues: Big esports events and tournaments are often organized in stadiums and convention centers which require a massive consumption of electricity for illumination, amplified music, and other necessities. Taking people including the attendees, players, and equipment from different places to these events also is a burden to the environment.
Another environmental issue facing the esports industry is e-waste also referred to as electronic waste. Naturally, the very technological growth threatens the environment, indicating that consumers toss out gaming hardware at an alarmingly fast pace because it is outdated.
1: Obsolete Hardware: A gaming console, PCs, and accessories that have new models in the market are thrown away and replaced with new ones. This results in an enormous amount of e-waste that if not disposed of in the right manner poses a menace to society.
2: Peripheral Devices: While keyboards, mice, and other peripherals are often upgraded by gamers themselves, it also adds up to the e-waste issue. These devices also include enclosed materials that need to be properly disposed of to avoid polluting the environment.
Esports’ impacts on climate change do not only go for energy use but also the products required during gameplay, production, and transportation.
1: Manufacturing: It starts from the mining of raw materials and moves to the energy-consuming steps of manufacturing and even the utilization of dangerous products. All these aspects in the production and usage of devices influence their carbon footprint.
2: Transportation: Consumers also use other devices in gaming such as computers and consoles; transporting these machines from manufacturers to consumers across the globe emits greenhouse gases. This is alongside with the constantly required shipment of replacement parts and other accessories.
Nevertheless, the factors mentioned above have led to the emergence of the esports industry’s awareness of environmental issues and their actions to reduce them.
1: Energy Efficiency: There is the production of energy-efficient gaming devices that are being manufactured by companies. For instance, in the current generation of gaming consoles as well as PCs, the designers sought to incorporate power-consuming technologies that are efficient in their performance. Also, there is an indication that data centers are being implemented with efficient technological systems to cut down the impact of energy depletion.
2: Renewable Energy: Certain firms have resorted to the purchase of energy from renewable sources when it comes to the gaming industry. The utilization, of renewable power sources such as solar, wind, and other resources can help lessen the effects of data centers and office facilities on the environment.
3: E-Waste Recycling: Bids to enhance the recycling of e-waste are being witnessed today. More programs are being developed to ensure that gamers return their old gaming gadgets with a view of being recycled. Manufacturers also have take-back programs whereby old devices can be returned for proper disposal.
4: Sustainable Events: The organizers of the esports events are not only avoiding the excessive use of energy and electricity through the cautious use of lighting but also avoiding the use of plastics and other non-biodegradable materials during the event and are encouraging public transport to curb the greenhouse gases in the environment.
Players and esports fans or esports enthusiasts also have means which can help in the reduction of environmental effects caused by esports.
1: Awareness and Advocacy: Helping people become aware of the effects that gaming has on the environment and encouraging the appropriate change on the companies’ and individual levels is possible. Namely, gamers are free to raise people’s awareness about sustainability and inspire them to become environmentally friendly.
2: Mindful Consumption: There is only what gamers can decide and consider being socially responsible by changing their consumption patterns. This includes selecting efficient devices, dismantling old devices and using them again, and buying products from companies that adhere to the policy.
3: Participation in Green Initiatives: Some of the ways that this can be supported include; Supporting or being involved in environmental activities as well as in programs that are a lobby for the gaming community. This covers supporting e-waste recycling, going to green esports events, and participating in discussions of online gaming’s environmental harm.
Esports like most industries have ramifications; in this case, it is on the environment. Be it energy consumption, or environmental pollution while manufacturing esports gadgetry to e-waste, esports has a large impact. Nonetheless, the industry has multiple possibilities for shifting into sustainability. The esports industry can also reduce harm to the environment by incorporating energy-efficient technologies, investing in renewable energy, proper e-waste management, and the promotion of appropriate practices during events. The games themselves, as well as the gamers, also have quite an active role in this sense by fighting for and engaging in such sustainable practices. That is why, as esports develops, it will be crucial to focus on environmental protection as the planet’s well-being depends on it.
