Their research also shows that E-Commerce orders sent via air generate three pounds of carbon dioxide per book.
Fewer emissions result from walking to the local book store for the same item.
According to the researchers, the net effect of pointing and clicking at an online merchant to buy a Christmas present is not as harmless as it may seem. Although, online shoppers can save 30 to 50 percent less than through traditional retail methods, the net environmental impact may be worse, researchers said. As a society, we need to start thinking twice before having everything we buy shipped to us overnight. This requires airplanes and trucks. At the same time, we are frustrated by air traffic delays and long commutes, yet it is our consumption that in part is causing these problems, Matthews said.