Yes, the actual book—the paper and cardboard—accounts for just part of what you pay at the store.
But new hikes in paper and fuel costs may make e-books more competitive with P than before. And of course we know which approach is greener.
Related: P-books as global warmers: Another argument for E. Paper books are a speck of paper consumption, but e-book readers can also display newspapers, far more villainous as polluters in P format.
And speaking of the p-to-e transition: Reluctantly, a daily stops its presses, living online, the New York Times’ write-up on the Capital Times in Madison,Wisconsin. Also see Wikipedia item.
