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🗞️ Driving the news: Apple is set to release its latest iPhone model, the iPhone 15, featuring a USB-C port, in alignment with the European Union's mandate for a universal charging point to curb electronic waste
• But while the technology giant continues to innovate, the environmental footprint of incessantly upgrading one's smartphone raises serious concerns

🔭 The context: About 79% of an iPhone's carbon footprint stems from its production
• Even as Apple leans into sustainability, the frequent turnover of the 211 million smartphones sold annually in the EU—most lasting just three years—deepens environmental concerns

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: Regular smartphone production and disposal contribute significantly to carbon emissions, driven by CO2-intensive mining for essential materials
• Opting out of the latest iPhone upgrades could help curb future manufacturing emissions

⏭️ What's next: Aiming for a carbon-neutral future by 2030, Apple celebrates its iPhone 14 for using fully recycled rare earth elements in its magnets
• Meanwhile, forward-thinking brands like Fairphone already champion transparent and sustainable supply chains, hinting at the next evolution in the mobile industry

💬 One quote: “Buying a new phone takes as much energy as recharging and operating a smartphone for an entire decade” (Lottie Limb, Journalist)

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