The Environmental Cost of Clicks

While often invisible, our digital activities require significant energy, contributing to a "digital carbon footprint". Data centers, network infrastructure, and device manufacturing/use all consume power.

Contributing Factors:

• Streaming: High-definition video streaming consumes substantial data and server energy.
• Cloud Storage: Storing vast amounts of data requires constantly powered servers.
• Device Manufacturing: Production of smartphones, laptops etc., is resource and energy-intensive.
• Email: Sending/storing emails, especially large attachments or spam, uses server energy.
• Cryptocurrencies: Some (like Bitcoin using Proof-of-Work) consume enormous amounts of electricity.

How to Reduce It:

• Stream at lower resolutions when possible, download instead of streaming repeatedly.
• Delete unnecessary files/emails, unsubscribe from unwanted mailing lists.
• Keep devices longer, repair instead of replacing.
• Power down devices completely when not in use for long periods.
• Choose greener web hosting or cloud providers if possible.