Bronte Wells
The internet has made our lifestyles easier and more convenient. However, our online habits have a surprising impact on the environment. The internet consumes huge amounts of electricity, although it is difficult to measure exactly how much. Digital technologies account for around 4% of global carbon emissions, and if the internet were a country, it would be the world's fourth or fifth largest polluter. The energy consumption of digital technology is increasing by 9% every year, and the manufacturing phase of electronic devices consumes the most energy and emits the most carbon dioxide. Data centres are the most efficient way of keeping the internet running, but the problem lies in the energy sources used to power them. Most data centres work with energy companies that rely on coal or nuclear power stations to generate electricity. As a result, internet companies are choosing rapid expansion without considering how their energy choices impact society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Internet pollution | All digital actions that are harmful to the planet |
| Devices used to access the internet | Mobile phones, computers, tablets, laptops, routers |
| Power required to keep the internet's infrastructure running | Enormous amounts of electricity |
| Energy sources for data centres | Coal, nuclear power stations, diesel-powered generators |
| Internet habits that contribute to pollution | Watching online videos, streaming, downloading files, using social media |
| Internet's carbon footprint | 300 million tonnes of CO2 per year (according to The Guardian), 3.7% of global greenhouse emissions (according to some estimates) |
| Impact of email usage on pollution | Each email is saved in three copies on different servers, contributing to internet pollution |
| Manufacturing phase of electronic devices | Consumes the most energy and emits the most CO2 during production and extraction of raw materials |
| Data centres | Storage centres of digital information, considered energy devourers, used around 205TWh of electricity in 2018 (about 1% of world's electricity consumption) |
| Network infrastructure and data centres | Responsible for half of all digital pollution |
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What You'll Learn
Data centres, servers, and networks
Data centres are energy-intensive buildings, consuming up to 50 times more energy per floor space than a typical commercial office building. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centres and data transmission networks each account for about 1-1.5% of global electricity use. This equates to approximately 0.9%-1.3% of global final electricity demand, or 220-320 Terawatt hours in 2021. The number of data centres worldwide has also increased dramatically, from 500,000 in 2012 to over 7.2 million today.
The primary source of pollution from data centres is the energy used to power them. Most data centres rely on energy companies that use coal or nuclear power stations, which produce significant carbon emissions. Additionally, data centres require cooling systems to prevent servers from overheating, and these cooling processes can contribute to water pollution and scarcity. The choice of cooling systems is crucial, as some use toxic coolants with high global warming potential, while others, like liquid cooling systems, are more environmentally friendly.
However, there are ongoing efforts to improve the sustainability of data centres. Some companies, like Apple, Facebook, and Google, have committed to using renewable energy sources for their data centres. For example, Facebook's data centre in Iowa, which opened in 2015, runs entirely on wind power. Additionally, Facebook's Autoscale system reduces the number of servers needed during low-traffic hours, resulting in power savings. Google has utilised AI to optimise its cooling systems, reducing cooling energy usage by almost 40%.
To further reduce the environmental impact of data centres, several strategies are being proposed. These include locating data centres in areas with suitable climates and low water stress, adopting energy-efficient servers and storage equipment, and improving data centre energy efficiency through regulatory schemes and standards. The use of hyperscale facilities and resource-optimized systems can also help reduce energy consumption. While the internet and data centres have a significant environmental impact, the adoption of renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency measures can help mitigate this pollution.
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Energy sources
The internet uses energy every second of every day. In 2022, the internet consumed 800 TWh of electricity, with 5 billion users generating 4.7 zettabytes of traffic. This is only expected to increase, with some estimating that the internet will double its energy consumption by 2030, and reach 5% of global electricity use by 2050.
The energy consumed by the internet comes from a variety of sources, some renewable and some non-renewable. The majority of data centres, which are buildings used to store data and computer hardware, use non-renewable sources of electricity. These centres are often powered by energy companies that rely on coal or nuclear power plants, which release greenhouse gases and contribute to the climate crisis.
However, there is a growing trend towards renewable energy-powered web hosting. Some website owners choose to purchase offsets or renewable energy to match their total energy consumption. Additionally, many businesses have installed renewable energy systems such as solar panels or wind turbines to directly power their IT infrastructure. Initiatives like Solar Protocol and Low Tech Magazine are entirely powered by solar energy, using responsive web design strategies to reduce energy consumption.
The type of energy used to power the internet varies depending on location. Amazon, a major provider of computing power, has stated its aim to use 100% green electricity by 2025.
The energy demands of the internet result in varying amounts of carbon emissions, with internet use accounting for 1.7 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases per year. This is similar to the emissions released by the global airline industry. The carbon footprint of the internet is largely due to the power required to keep its infrastructure running, including data centres, transmission, and networking, and the devices used to access the internet.
It is worth noting that the internet can also displace energy use in certain sectors. For example, using teleconferencing instead of travelling for meetings can save energy. Additionally, the internet's carbon footprint is lower than that of traditional activities in some sectors. However, as the internet continues to grow and demand for it increases, it is important to focus on sustainability and the use of renewable energy sources to reduce its environmental impact.
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Manufacturing and delivery
The manufacturing of digital devices and IT equipment, such as computers, tablets, laptops, smartphones, routers, and servers, contributes significantly to digital pollution. This is because the production of these devices often involves the mining of rare resources, leading to deforestation and water pollution. Additionally, the manufacturing process itself requires a significant amount of energy, particularly in the case of microchip production, which demands high levels of purification and large amounts of purified water.
The carbon emissions associated with manufacturing are substantial. The manufacture and operation of digital technologies produce an estimated 1.7 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in each internet user being responsible for approximately 414 kg of carbon dioxide annually. This figure varies depending on geographical location, with users in developed nations generally having a larger carbon footprint.
The delivery and installation of digital devices and equipment also contribute to their carbon footprint. The energy consumed during these processes can exceed the energy used by the devices themselves over their lifetime. This is especially true for devices with short lifespans, such as smartphones, which are often replaced every few years.
Furthermore, the carbon emissions from manufacturing, delivering, and installing digital technologies are not limited to the devices themselves. The infrastructure required to support the internet, such as access networks, wiring, and antennas, also contribute significantly to the carbon footprint of the digital industry.
The environmental impact of manufacturing and delivering digital devices and IT equipment is a critical aspect of digital pollution. While the exact measurements may be challenging to determine, the consensus is that these processes contribute significantly to the overall carbon emissions associated with the internet and digital technologies.
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Online habits
The internet has become an essential part of our daily lives, with 4.66 billion people, or 53.6% of the global population, using it. However, our online habits have a significant impact on the environment. Watching online videos accounts for 60% of the world's internet traffic and generates 300 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, roughly 1% of global emissions. This is due to the energy consumed by devices, servers, and networks that distribute content.
One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to minimise video streaming, especially on smartphones, as it is more energy-intensive than streaming over Wi-Fi. Additionally, deleting unnecessary emails, photos, and apps can help reduce the energy needed for storage. Using energy-efficient data centres, such as those run by Google, can also lower emissions.
Another way to reduce your impact is to be mindful of your device usage. Simple actions like unsubscribing from unwanted newsletters or using energy-saving settings can make a difference. Upgrading smartphones frequently contributes to electronic waste, with 50 million tons discarded annually, polluting soil and water.
While the internet's environmental impact is challenging to measure, it is estimated to consume 1.5%-2% of global energy, and its carbon footprint is comparable to the aviation industry's fuel emissions. Data centres, in particular, contribute significantly, with 80% of their energy coming from fossil fuels.
By adopting eco-conscious habits and supporting sustainable practices, individuals can play a role in reducing the internet's environmental impact.
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Emails and storage
The internet has made it possible to send messages, share pictures, download music, and stream videos with just a few clicks. However, these online activities have an environmental impact. Sending emails, for example, contributes to our carbon footprint. While the carbon footprint of a single email is small, estimated to be around 0.3g CO2e for a short email, it can add up quickly when billions of emails are sent daily. According to Statista, more than 306 billion emails were sent in 2021, and this number is expected to exceed 376 billion by 2025.
The carbon footprint of an email varies depending on factors such as length, attachments, and the devices used. A longer email with attachments can have a carbon footprint of up to 50g CO2e. Additionally, the embodied carbon of the device, electricity use, and the networks and
To reduce the carbon footprint of emails, individuals can take simple steps such as sending fewer unnecessary emails, especially short "thank you" messages, and avoiding sending large attachments. Using tools like the 'Carbon Capper' Chrome extension can help by notifying users if an email is unnecessary based on word count.
Email management policies in companies can also play a role in reducing the environmental impact of emails. This includes sending only essential information, avoiding irrelevant emails, and using links to the cloud instead of large attachments. Educating employees on efficient email usage and time management techniques can further contribute to a more sustainable approach to email communication.
While the impact of individual emails may seem insignificant, the collective effect of billions of emails sent daily contributes to the world's carbon footprint. By making conscious choices about our email habits and adopting more efficient practices, we can reduce our digital carbon footprint.
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Frequently asked questions
The internet accounts for 1.5% to 2% of the world’s energy consumption, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of the fifth largest country in the world. This is due to the vast network of physical infrastructure that powers the internet, including data centres, transmission networks, and user devices.
The internet is responsible for around 4% of global carbon emissions, which is similar to the contribution of the aviation industry. The carbon footprint of the internet is expected to double by 2025 due to the increasing demand for digital technology and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Internet users can reduce their carbon footprint by deleting unnecessary emails, avoiding sending large attachment files, and unsubscribing from newsletters. Additionally, individuals can choose to support internet companies that are committed to powering their data centres with 100% renewable energy, such as Google, Facebook, and Apple.
