How eco-friendly is your online presence?

// January 12th, 2009 // Environment // 2,369 views

Eco-friendly environmental impact of web browsing

“So it’s Sunday morning, you’re sitting down at the computer with your cup of coffee, and you decide to search for the latest YouTube hit. You groan. That video is taking too long to load. You open a new window and decide to read the morning paper while you wait for the video to download. This scene may seem innocent enough, but were you aware of the fact that your websurfing has an impact on the environment? Would you be surprised to know that it contributes to a greater global carbon footprint than the whole of the aviation industry? “

According to The Times Online every time you switch on your computer, browse the internet and connect to servers around the world, you are contributing to the 2% of international emissions each year.

Considering that a simple Google search could generate around 7g of CO2 and boiling a kettle about 15g, we need to start thinking of ways to reduce our online carbon footprint.

One way you can take an overall view of your carbon footprint is to use the Food & Trees For Africa Carbon Standard Calculator. Once you know how much carbon dioxide emissions you produce, you can offset these by planting and equivalent amount of trees. In my mind this is an awesome South African initiative.

If you are internationally based, you could also check out www.co2stats.com, for ways to make your website greener in an auditable way.

I already calculated the amount of trees required to reduce my specific Volvoâ€™s carbon footprint and made my donation. What have you done?

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9 Responses to “How eco-friendly is your online presence?”

Kat says:

January 12, 2009 at 8:39 am

The calculator is great! It’s much tougher to ignore your carbon footprint when you can actually quantify it.
Aquila says:

January 12, 2009 at 8:43 am

Hi Kat, You’re absolutely right. It’s quite scary when you start looking at it. We definitely have to start doing our bit.
Pia says:

January 14, 2009 at 9:06 am

Every time I initiate a search I picture a whirring of computer fans as the Google machinery springs into action… As a small measure I always use a search engine called GreenYourSearch.com.

It’s based on Google’s search, but the people who’ve created this particular version (South Africans) have pledged to make it a carbon-neutral search engine by offsetting the CO2 of every search - which they do by donating trees to Food & Trees for Africa.

But, I think it’s time I offset my own site as well!
Aquila says:

January 14, 2009 at 4:21 pm

Hey Pia,

Thanks for that info. It’s pretty neat to see that South African’s are doing their bit (nogal).

Hmm - I suddenly feel like a double-shot pretty-milk-pattern-topped â€˜flat whiteâ€™
angel says:

January 14, 2009 at 8:28 pm

sheesh… thats hectic dude! my footprint is enormous!
Steve Hayes says:

January 29, 2009 at 12:56 am

I use Noscript to block videos, podcasts, Flash etc.

Does that reduce my spoor in the coalyard?
Skaaptjop says:

February 16, 2009 at 8:43 pm

Sounds like the wise thing would be to drink less tea.
Aquila says:

February 17, 2009 at 11:59 am

Skaaptjop - Ja my kroon