Four billion people worldwide have easy and cheap access to the internet, but all this online connectivity comes with a heavy environmental cost. According to research in 2015, 830 megatons of CO2 were emitted by internet usage alone. So here are a few tips by which you reduce your digital carbon footprint let’s get started.
Delete Old Data
Number one erase your data whatever you do online, information is stored in data centers that require huge amounts of electrical and cooling power. For instance, accessing a video or image online has been estimated to produce up to 12 grams of CO2 each moment. Unfortunately, much of the power used in data centers is wasted keeping information available 24/ 7, 365 days, a year that no longer needs. So, make sure to erase any old accounts Instagram, Facebook, photos, messages, emails and tweets whatever it is declutter your digital footprint by deleting your data, as well as your carbon footprint.
Cut back on emails
Sending a mail produces about 4 g of CO2. That’s equivalent to driving a vehicle just 24 meters. However, about 300 billion emails are sent, every single day, emitting 438 megatons of CO2 annually, or about half of the internet’s carbon footprint. So, unsubscribe from mailing lists and brands you no longer engage with, stop hitting reply-all, and try to discourage unnecessary mails in your workplace.
Start using Ecosia
Ecosia is a search engine, much like Google, that donates 80% of its advertising revenue to planting trees and they recently surpassed a monumental 100 million trees planted, in over 9000 locations. Ecosia plants the right trees for the ideal places, avoiding monoculture plantations. Ecosia’s data centers even run on solar panels so your searches are actually carbon negative, retaining more CO2 than they emit. Their publicly available financial data, YouTube channel and blog show exactly how they are improving water security, providing habitats for animals and creating green jobs for some of the poorest countries around the world.
Green Charging
When a phone is turned off but still plugged in think about that little green charging light. On its own, it may not use a lot of power, but globally leaving devices on standby arouse a significant environmental cost. You can avoid this wastage by unplugging and turning off your devices when not in use, especially if you will be away from them for more than two hours. You can also set your computer to sleep mode while going to the washroom or making a cup of coffee, which could save up to 90% of the energy compared with leaving it running and also save on your electricity bill!
Downsize your devices.
About half of the internet’s carbon footprint presently comes from end-user devices. Using a smartphone or tablet instead of a computer for simple tasks can save huge amounts of energy.
Use Click Clean
Some websites servers are powered by near completely renewable energy, while most are definitely not. Luckily, click clean is a Green Peace tool that shows you what percentage of a website or app’s power comes from renewable energy. So, make an informed decision about where you go online. And rest assured, YouTube is one of the cleanest with 78% renewable power, to date.
Turn Down Brightness
By lowering your brightness, the battery would not run down so fast and you will save energy from charging it.
Stop smoking near your computer.
Strange as it may sound, cigarette smoke can block up computer fans, greatly increasing the power-packed to keep them cool and killing their lifespan. So, try to cut the cigarettes for your body, your computer and your planet’s health and also be sure to regularly clear your devices of dust, even if you’re not a smoker.
Reduce Reuse and Recycle
Reduce, reuse and recycle your computing devices take care of your current electronics and repair them before buying a new one if you do have to buy new recycle old devices and cables so they don't end up in landfills and new devices. Keep in your mind that you will always leave a footprint when you use the internet. However, these tips will help you to control your digital footprint.
Finally,
Remember, as always but especially during this global pandemic situation, to look after yourselves, your elders, and most importantly, the planet around you.
It's good to make sure we don't over consume technology and to use the stuff we have more wisely so as not to add to the waste already happening. These tips were useful -- thanks for sharing them.
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