5 Reasons Why the Internet is Emitting More Carbon

The internet has brought about significant changes in the way we live, work, and communicate. It has transformed the world into a global village, enabling people to connect, collaborate and share information with ease. However, this technological advancement comes at a cost. The internet is emitting more carbon than ever before, and the impact of this on our environment cannot be ignored. In this article, we will discuss 5 reasons why the internet is emitting more carbon.

1. Increased Data Usage

One of the primary reasons why the internet is emitting more carbon is because of the increase in data usage. The demand for online content is increasing at an unprecedented rate. With more people accessing the internet than ever before, consuming more data, this has led to a massive surge in energy consumption by data centres, servers, and networks. The energy needed to power these infrastructures is primarily generated from fossil fuels, which emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

According to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, data centres in the United States alone consume approximately 70 billion kWh of electricity annually. This is equivalent to the amount of electricity used by about 6.4 million homes in the US.

2. Streaming Services

Streaming services are also major contributors to the increase in carbon emissions. These services require a significant amount of bandwidth and data storage to operate. This, in turn, leads to an increase in the number of data centres and servers needed to support them.

In addition to this, streaming services also require a significant amount of energy to operate. A study by The Shift Project found that streaming a one-hour video on a smartphone can produce as much as 55 grams of carbon dioxide emissions. This is equivalent to driving a car for approximately 400 meters.

While it is true that digital media platforms like YouTube and social media do emit carbon through their server operations, they are still widely used channels of communication and provide a reach that traditional media may not. This makes them important tools in promoting sustainability messages and spreading awareness about sustainable practices. It is critically important that the streaming industry take responsibility for reducing emissions, and use green energy going forward, given it represents a huge chunk of internet’s emissions.

3. Increased Use of Cloud Services

Cloud services have become an integral part of our lives. Many businesses and individuals rely on cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud to store and access their data. This has led to an increase in the number of data centres and servers needed to support these services.

Like data centres and servers, cloud services require a significant amount of energy to operate. According to a report by Greenpeace, data centres that power cloud services consume approximately 2% of the world’s electricity. This is predicted to increase to 5% by 2025.

4. Electronic Waste

Electronic waste or e-waste is another reason why the internet is emitting more carbon. With more people buying and discarding electronic devices than ever before, the amount of electronic waste generated has skyrocketed. This, in turn, leads to an increase in the amount of carbon emissions produced during the manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of these devices.

According to a report by the Global E-waste Monitor, the world generated approximately 53.6 million metric tons of electronic waste in 2019. This is equivalent to the weight of 350 cruise ships. If this trend continues, the amount of electronic waste generated is expected to reach 74 million metric tons by 2030.

5. Cryptocurrency Mining

Cryptocurrency mining is a relatively new industry that has gained popularity in recent years. This process involves using computers to solve complex mathematical problems and verify transactions on the blockchain. As more people participate in cryptocurrency mining, the demand for computing power has increased. This has led to an increase in the number of data centres and servers needed to support this industry.

Cryptocurrency mining requires a significant amount of energy to operate. According to a study by Cambridge University, the Bitcoin network uses approximately 121.36 TWh of electricity every year. This is similar to the amount of electricity used by the entire country of Argentina.

In conclusion, the internet is emitting more carbon than ever before due to the increased data usage, streaming services, cloud services, electronic waste, and cryptocurrency mining. While the internet has revolutionised the way we live, work, and communicate, we must take steps to reduce its impact on the environment. This includes reducing our data usage, using energy-efficient devices, recycling electronic waste, and investing in renewable energy.

Written by Team EFWA