We might be the only species on Earth that use electronic devices, but that does not mean we are the only species that suffer from their adverse health effects.

Electromagnetic (EMF) radiation is a pollutant that is ever-present in our environment (thanks to us) as electrosmog, and it can affect every other living thing around us, both directly and indirectly. While EMF does exist naturally in our environment in low amounts seen in lightning strikes and the Earth’s magnetic field, the frequencies we use are different, and our cells, as well as cells of plants and animals, cannot adapt to these man-made emissions. Research suggests that plants, animals and insects are more responsive to certain frequencies.

There is abundant evidence of harm to diverse plants, and laboratory animals, including: Ants, Birds, Forests, Frogs, Fruit flies, Honey bees, Insects, Mice, Plants, Rats, Trees. NASA research found that some plants absorb EMF radiation. A research analysis shows that maize, Roselle, pea, fenugreek, duckweeds, tomato, onions, and mungbean plants are highly sensitive to EMF radiation. Scientists highlighted electromagnetic radiation as a potential risk to bird and insect orientation and movement, as well as to plant metabolic health. In terms of the Earth’s ecosystems, decline of these small plants and animals can create a cataclysmic breakdown, with insect extinction set to be labeled as the 6th mass extinction of all time.

In addition to affecting plants and animals, EMF emissions and the technology it comes from is creating a big carbon dioxide (C02) impact. Since 2007, the industry’s carbon footprint has tripled, and it is estimated by 2040 to make up 14% of the global carbon footprint. The amount of devices in the world are exponentially increasing, with no signs of slowing down. Discarded electronics are the world’s fastest growing waste problem at around 50 million tons of e-waste disposed of each year. Creating technology hardware requires rare materials that creates a huge environmental impact, equal to the C02 emissions from using and charging a phone for a decade. Not to mention that in order for your device to send and receive data, it must be processed through data centers. These data centers are massive warehouses chock full of servers. This uses an extensive amount of power to run, and to keep the servers cool. All in all, devices are a big contributor to C02 emissions, both in development and use, and their EMF emissions are harmful to ecosystems.