The Internet's Dark Side: Pollution And Its Impact

The internet has an enormous environmental impact, contributing to around 4% of global carbon emissions, similar to the aviation industry. This digital pollution is caused by the vast network of physical infrastructure that powers the internet, from data centres to transmission networks and end-user devices. The energy-intensive nature of the internet's infrastructure results in high electricity consumption, often derived from non-renewable sources such as coal or nuclear power, leading to significant carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the manufacturing and transport phases of electronic devices further contribute to the internet's carbon footprint. While the internet offers efficiency in various everyday transactions, its environmental cost cannot be overlooked, and efforts to transition to renewable energy sources and reduce digital pollution are essential to mitigate its impact on the planet.

Internet usage and electricity consumption

The internet consumes a large amount of electricity, although it is difficult to measure the exact amount. In 2022, powering the internet consumed 800 TWh of electricity, with 5 billion users generating 4.7 zettabytes of traffic. This amount is expected to double by 2030, potentially adding 1% to global energy demand and 2.5% to global electricity demand.

The energy consumption of the internet is driven by various factors, including data centers, transmission and networking, and end-user equipment such as computers, tablets, laptops, and routers. Data centers, or collections of computers that make up the backend of a system, require electricity to operate and stay cool. While data centers can be energy-intensive, they are considered the most efficient way of keeping the internet running, as centralizing servers in a single location allows for synergies and minimizes electricity use. However, the problem lies in the energy sources used to power these data centers, which are often coal or nuclear power.

End-user equipment also contributes significantly to electricity consumption. The proliferation and utilization of the internet have led to increased electricity consumption in households. Studies have found a positive relationship between internet usage and household electricity expenditure, with higher internet usage resulting in higher electricity bills. Additionally, internet usage can lead to shorter sleep durations, further increasing electricity costs.

To reduce the environmental impact of the internet, it is crucial to transition to renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency. Some companies, such as Facebook, Google, and Cloudflare, have made commitments to using renewable energy in their data centers. Additionally, individuals can take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, such as deleting unnecessary emails, using energy-efficient devices, and supporting companies that prioritize sustainability.

Data centres and servers

There are several million data centres globally, using almost 1.9 billion square feet of space. Each facility can pack in tens of thousands of servers, which are constantly running and require a lot of energy to cool. This energy consumption is one of the most significant ways in which the internet causes pollution. According to research, data centres are responsible for between 1.1 and 1.5% of global energy use, and this is expected to grow as the demand for server space increases.

The environmental impact of data centres depends on how efficiently they are run. The most significant source of unnecessary power consumption is the use of air cooling systems, which are very energy-intensive. Liquid immersion cooling systems are far more energy-efficient and can siphon off over a thousand times more heat from servers, considerably reducing environmental strain and cutting costs.

The energy used to power data centres is another major source of pollution. Many data centres are still powered by dirty energy sources such as coal and nuclear plants, which contribute to global carbon emissions. However, some companies are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact by using renewable energy sources such as solar, hydroelectric, wind, and geothermic energy.

Another way in which data centres contribute to pollution is through the storage of emails and other digital information. This is known as "latent" or "dormant" pollution. Each email is saved in at least three copies on different servers, and all these servers need to be constantly running and cooled, using up energy.

Manufacturing devices

The manufacturing of digital devices may require the mining of rare resources, which can contribute to deforestation and, therefore, water pollution. The extraction of raw materials and the manufacturing process in developing countries consume the most energy and emit the most CO2. Developing countries produce their electricity mainly from coal, which has a substantial environmental impact when mined. The transport phase also adds to the balance.

The smaller the devices, the larger the environmental impact. This is because the manufacturing of smaller, sophisticated technological equipment requires certain processes and rare metals such as tantalum and tungsten. These minerals are often at the centre of armed conflicts, especially in Africa, and are known as "conflict minerals".

To reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing devices, individuals can buy second-hand products, which tend to be cheaper and less polluting. It is also crucial to avoid the unnecessary substitution of digital equipment and to favour repair over substitution in the case of damage.

Emails and storage

The internet consumes huge amounts of electricity, and while individual messages, emails, and internet searches do not produce a large carbon footprint, billions of them add up quickly. The carbon footprint of our gadgets, the internet, and the systems supporting them account for about 3.7% of global greenhouse emissions, according to some estimates. This is similar to the amount produced by the global airline industry. These emissions are expected to double by 2025 as more people gain access to the internet.

Each email we send has a carbon footprint, and this is determined by several factors. The device used to create the email, the time taken to write and read it, and the inclusion of attachments or large documents all contribute to the energy used to send, receive, and store the message. The energy efficiency of the data centres through which the email passes also plays a role.

Spam emails that are filtered out before reaching our inboxes have a lower carbon footprint than mass mailings that only get read by a few people. On average, an email is equivalent to driving a small petrol car for about 128 miles. While the impact of a single email is not significant, the collective impact of billions of emails can contribute to global carbon emissions.

To reduce the carbon footprint of our emails, we can use sustainable email platforms such as EcoSend and green web hosting providers. We can also minimize the use of attachments or compress files to reduce their size. Additionally, we can extend the lifespan of our electronic devices, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing and transporting new equipment.

By making conscious choices and adopting more sustainable practices, we can reduce the environmental impact of our email usage and contribute to a greener digital world.

Renewable energy sources

The internet consumes vast amounts of electricity, and digital technologies account for around 4% of global carbon emissions. This figure is expected to double by 2025. The internet's carbon footprint is due to the electricity required to power data centres, transmission networks, and end-user equipment such as computers and phones.

• Solar Power: Solar photovoltaics have seen strong growth in recent years, and the cost of electricity from solar power has decreased significantly. By 2029, solar PV is expected to surpass hydropower as the largest renewable power source globally.
• Wind Power: Wind energy, both onshore and offshore, has also become more affordable, with costs falling in recent years. Wind-based generation is expected to surpass hydropower as the second-largest renewable power source by 2030.
• Hydropower: Hydroelectric plants, such as those in Nordic countries like Sweden, can provide renewable energy for data centres. Hydropower currently contributes significantly to renewable electricity generation.
• Bioenergy: Modern bioenergy is the largest source of renewable energy globally, with a share of over 50% in 2023. It will play a crucial role in decarbonizing the heating sector.
• Geothermal Plants: Geothermal plants can provide renewable heat and contribute to reducing emissions in the heating sector.
• Green Web Hosting: Website owners can choose green web hosting providers that use 100% renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. This simple switch can significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with web hosting.
• Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): Companies can purchase RECs to match the power used in their data centres and offices. This ensures that their energy consumption is balanced by renewable energy sources.

By transitioning to renewable energy sources, we can reduce the internet's reliance on fossil fuels, decrease carbon emissions, and mitigate climate change.

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