Reading can save people from horrible and dark things or just the insanity of reality. The increase in books being manufactured could be a positive and negative thing. More books mean new readers which mean a more relaxed and less technology dependent community. However, many agree that books are the reason why we are losing trees and clean oxygen and causing global climate change through the need for more paper.
40% of timber harvested is used for paper. 85.1% of the book industry's carbon foot consists of harvesting trees and paper production in mills.
The Lay of the Land
Forests are being endangered and animals are losing their habitats, but in 2008 a report was created for this matter and many publishers were involved. Most publishers have put forth policies which will help find solutions to the environmental problems. Other ways that book publishers have found to adapt to those environmental concerns of climate change include electronic reading, recycled paper usage, and libraries.
E-Books
One way they are trying to adapt to the global problem is through electronic reading. E-Books and Audiobooks are a great way to continue reading without using paper. This saves trees and authors still get to write without any problem. Electronics also do not produce much of any greenhouse gas. Most kids are always on their electronic devices and e-books could be what they do instead of playing games or watching videos. Audiobooks would allow kids to entertain themselves as they play effortless games or they could sit back and color as they are released into a fictional world.
Recycled Paper
Some do not have that option, so many publishers are also starting to use more recycled paper when manufacturing their paperbacks and hardcovers. Physical books are highly more popular than any other form of reading. 90% of readers prefer physical books to digital books. Using recycled paper, publishers reach more readers and are still keeping the environment clean. Many publishing industries are also attempting to use more recycled paper than they have ever. The only problem is the cost. The recycled clean paper is also costly. If more people read, maybe they could acquire enough to make all pages in any book recycled and cut down fewer trees.
Support Your Library
Another way would be libraries. Book publishers love supporting libraries. Libraries are an easily accessible and affordable way for readers to get their hands on books and publishers don't need to manufacture as many copies of books and use as much paper. Libraries have new releases and old ones and the ones no one has ever heard of, and still, make readers happy. It is a great way to support an author, and it keeps the Earth full of greenery. Not as much paper would need to be produced if libraries were the primary source for readers to acquire books.
The publishing industry is still searching for the finest idea to help them adapt to concerns in relation to paper production. Electronic formats of books, recycled paper, and libraries are the first step. Better solutions will come in the near future.