The first Industrial Revolution marked a step change in resource use. Since then there have been significant technological changes accompanied by an ever-growing resource use and waste and pollution production. The fourth Industrial Revolution builds on the third Industrial Revolution that was known as the Digital Revolution. The fourth revolution will see more and more people and technologies connected along with advances in techniques, such as robotics. Some believe that this will allow us to improve the way we manage our activities and reduce the environmental impacts. However, evidence shows that environmental impacts are increasing and will continue to do so. In order to reduce impacts a stricter environmental policy is needed. This article will posit that a more fundamental reform is needed. It will show that the problem lies with economic policy. The article will look at how resources for the production of communications media are gathered, the manufacturing process, the resources need to operate them and the disposal practices. It will show that economic policy is causing growth of the media sector and this will require more resources. If there is a serious desire to reduce the environmental impacts of the sector then fundamental economic change is needed.