One of the complexities in working out the carbon footprint of our internet habits is that it’s not a straightforward task. Few people can agree on what they should and should not include. Should it include the emissions that come from manufacturing the computing hardware? And what about those from the staff and buildings of technology companies? Even the figures around the running of data centers are disputed – many run on renewable energy, while some companies buy “carbon off-sets” to clean up their energy use.

While many companies claim to power their data centers using renewable energy, it’s important to note that in some parts of the world, they are still largely powered by the burning of fossil fuels. This global issue requires collective action and awareness.

As individuals, simply upgrading our equipment less often is one way of cutting the carbon footprint of our digital technology. The greenhouse gases emitted while manufacturing and transporting these devices can make up a considerable portion of the lifetime emissions from a piece of electronics. One study at the University of Edinburgh found that extending the time you use a single computer and monitor from four to six years could avoid the equivalent of 190kg of carbon emissions.

Eco-Messaging

Altering gadget use can reduce digital carbon footprints, especially in messaging. Emails vary in carbon impact, with older estimates indicating significant footprints, and unnecessary emails like “thank you” messages collectively add up. Reducing email attachments, unsubscribing from mailing lists, and opting for SMS can further minimize the footprint.

Clean Searching

Internet searches have a carbon footprint, but companies like Google use renewable energy and offsets to mitigate this. Ecosia offers a greener alternative by planting trees for searches. Online information access is more sustainable than physical books or newspapers, and while cryptocurrencies have a high carbon impact, reducing unnecessary digital activities can help.

Beating Boredom

Online videos, particularly streaming services and pornography, generate significant CO2 emissions. Streaming music and videos can be optimized by reducing autoplay, choosing lower resolutions, and using Wi-Fi. Multiplayer games have a lower footprint than streaming games, but frequent updates increase emissions.

Efficient Viewing and Listening

Watching TV together or using more efficient streaming methods can reduce carbon footprints. Streaming audio is less intensive than video, and the impact of music has increased. Buying physical albums can be better for frequent listeners, while streaming is better for occasional plays, and video games have a notable carbon impact, especially with frequent updates.

Social Media and Apps

Social media has a relatively low carbon footprint, with Facebook’s user footprint being minimal. Disabling automatic updates and cloud backups can save carbon. While personal changes help, systemic industry changes towards renewable energy are crucial for substantial carbon emission reductions.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200305-why-your-internet-habits-are-not-as-clean-as-you-think