Digital hygiene: how our "clicks" affect the planet
We are used to thinking that the Internet is something "weightless". Well, so what, I watched a video, sent a letter... It seems that this cannot harm nature. But the truth is that each of our online habits has its own "carbon footprint". And, oddly enough, it is quite real!
The Internet is a "gluttonous" giant
When we save files in the "cloud", make video calls or just search for something on the Internet, somewhere on the planet data centers "eat" a huge amount of energy. To cool these giant "server farms", powerful systems are needed, which also emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. And all this happens as if "behind the scenes", we do not see or feel it.
Small "green" clicks
But the good news is that even small changes in our online habits can help! Just as we save water at home, we can become «greener» online. The main thing is to know what "eats" the most energy.
Email: Every letter is a "plus" to the energy consumption of servers. Especially "heavy" letters with attachments. Delete old letters, unsubscribe from unnecessary mailings, share links instead of files - it's simple, and good for the planet!
Streaming video: Do you like to watch movies online? Know that high-definition video (4K) requires several times more energy than regular video. If possible, choose a lower quality.
Digital trash: Files that we forgot in the "cloud" also "weigh" energy. Regularly "clean up" your online storage, delete unnecessary things.
Why is this important?
Data centers already "eat" about 1% of all global electricity! And this figure is growing.
The production of paper needed for offices, deforestation, pollution from electronic recycling - all this is connected with our "digital footprint".
The future of "digital hygiene"
Perhaps, soon "digital hygiene" will become as common as sorting garbage. While this is a new concept, it opens our eyes to how our actions on the network affect the world around us. And this is another step towards a "greener" future!
ORIENT
