Today in class I explained to my students how to submit their papers.

Then I quickly added that even though I鈥檓 calling them 鈥減apers鈥� there will be no 鈥減aper鈥� involved because they are to submit their 鈥減apers鈥漮nline.

Everything is electronic including my feedback on the papers.

They also get their class notes online.

I still practise the ancient art of printing out tests, but that鈥檚 about it.

Computer technology has revolutionized the way we do things that used to rely entirely on the use of paper procured from pulping trees.

Theoretically this means reduced pressure on forests, but what鈥檚 the reality?

Instead of paper mail through the post, we receive e-mail. Yet often e-mail messages get printed out and my mail box seems just as full of paper advertising as it always was.

Instead of buying maps and map books we have Google maps.

Yet for those of us without high-tech handheld devices and with relatively poor memories, Google maps get printed out 鈥� a lot.

Instead of buying books, we can buy a Kindle and have the ability to store thousands of pages on a small electronic device.

Yet I鈥檝e not seen too much enthusiasm kindled for this sort of thing.

Sometimes I wonder about the small pieces of paper we get everywhere we spend money, called receipts. These countless little slips of paper get a quick once over before getting trashed or recycled. Is there a better way?

Still, things they are a-changing. I recently retired a filing cabinet when I realized I hadn鈥檛 used it much in the last 10 years. The files I need are on my computer (and backed-up hopefully).

In Canada at least, efforts are being made to make better use of waste materials to make paper, such as sawdust from sawmills that prepare logs for lumber.

Likewise, recycled paper makes up an increasing proportion of the pulp. It鈥檚 now up to 26 per cent according to 鈥淧lanet Friendly Canada.鈥�

On a global scale, the demand for paper is still on the upswing. With an increasing world population and ever increasing use of technology in both developing countries and developed countries, it is not surprising the demand for paper keeps going up.

But what about you and me?

Do we use more or less paper now than 10 years ago? Are you reading this online, or do you prefer to read a hard copy?

Could a paperless world become reality, or is that just pulp fiction?

David Clements is a professor of biology and environmental studies at Trinity Western University.