What is Green Internet? Your Digital Carbon Footprint

Caroline Lefelhoc / Updated Oct 15, 2024 | Pub. Sep 03, 2024

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We rely on the internet for almost everything. From ordering that late-night cheeseburger on Doordash to researching your next draft pick for fantasy football—the internet has your back! And more of us are getting online now than ever before. With 5.44 billion users worldwide in 2024, approximately two-thirds of the global population is now connected to the web [1].

Have you ever paused to ponder what all these online activities are doing to the environment? While the internet is a boon, its convenience impacts our planet. This is an urgent issue that needs our attention.

As demand for internet services skyrockets, so does our carbon footprint, leading to increased energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. To combat this problem, we can adopt “Green Internet”—a sustainable approach to our online world that aims to reduce the internet’s environmental impact.

Green Internet and You

Green Internet refers to optimizing internet infrastructure and usage. The goal is to reduce energy consumption and minimize the environmental impact of the internet. Simply put, it’s about making the internet more eco-friendly by reducing its energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

The internet depends on data centers—large facilities filled with servers that store and transmit data for websites, apps, and other online services. Non-renewable resources like coal and natural gas often power these data centers.

The estimated global data center electricity consumption in 2022 was around 1-1.5% of global final electricity demand [2].

Every time you stream a video, send an email, or even scroll through social media, you’re contributing to the demand on these data centers. And increased usage means more carbon emissions.

Supporting green internet initiatives is even more crucial now that so many users are online. As our digital lives expand, so does the internet’s environmental impact. Without intervention, this trend could have dire consequences for our planet.

Hands typing on a laptop with a glob and digital overlay, representing internet usage.

5.44 billion internet users worldwide

What is the Environmental Impact of the Internet?

It’s easy to overlook the internet’s environmental impact. We sometimes assume that the digital world is detached from the physical world. But in reality, every online activity has a carbon cost. That cost is primarily driven by the energy required to power the vast network of data centers worldwide.

Data centers are massive consumers of electricity. In 2022, the global electricity consumption from data centers, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrencies amounted to 460 terawatt-hours. By 2026, this figure will range between 620 and 1,050 terawatt-hours, depending on the future deployment of these technologies [3]. Without corrective action, the internet’s energy consumption could rise to unsustainable levels.

Beyond electricity, data centers also heavily burden water resources. Many data centers use cooling systems that require vast amounts of water. One data center can use up to 5 million gallons of drinking water daily—enough to support thousands of homes or agricultural operations [4].

This extensive water usage adds another layer to the internet’s environmental impact, depleting resources and causing ecological stress.

Map of the united states lit up to show energy usage.

Understand your individual impact

What’s Your Digital Carbon Footprint?

Your digital carbon footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly from your internet usage. That includes everything from streaming movies and music to browsing social media, playing online games, and even sending emails.

Streaming a one-hour video can produce about 55g of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). That emission is equivalent to microwaving four bags of popcorn [5]. Multiply that impact by millions of households worldwide, streaming endless hours of shows while also scrolling through social media!

As the demand for high-bandwidth services like video streaming continues to rise, so too does our collective digital carbon footprint.

The internet’s carbon footprint isn’t just the result of individual actions. Major tech companies, streaming services, and social media platforms are significant contributors. This is a shared responsibility that we all need to address.

6 solutions for a Green Internet

What Can We Do to Make the Internet Green?

Some of the green solutions for internet include using renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and choosing eco-friendly devices and platforms. These actions can help reduce the internet’s environmental impact as we work towards a greener digital future. Some of those solutions must be pursued by tech companies, but others are steps you can take yourself.

Use Renewable Energy Sources

Data centers can reduce carbon emissions by switching to renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Some companies are already leading the way in this area, using innovative technologies to power their operations sustainably.

Since 2017, Google has matched its annual electricity consumption with 100 percent renewable energy. Now, the company is going even further: By 2030, Google aims to run its business on carbon-free energy everywhere, at all times [6].

Improve Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is another improvement that lands on the shoulders of companies rather than consumers. Technological advancements can help data centers become more energy-efficient. For example, re-engineered cooling systems can reduce the power required to keep servers cool. Advanced analytics can predict temperature fluctuations and adjust energy usage accordingly.

Energy-Efficient Devices

Consumer devices (TVs, laptops/PCs, smartphones, tablets) account for over 50% of the carbon emissions from streaming. Choosing energy-efficient devices and using renewable electricity at home can significantly impact emissions and energy consumption [7].

Adopt Green Technologies

Numerous green technologies can help reduce the internet’s environmental impact. These technologies include innovations from green IoT devices to eco-friendly cloud computing networks. You can choose tech options that save energy and enhance the sustainability of our digital infrastructure.

Educate and Advocate

Awareness is critical to driving change. By educating ourselves and others about the internet’s environmental impact, we can spread the word about greener practices and hold companies accountable for their carbon footprints.

Delete Unused or Unwanted Data

Do you have over 30,000 emails in your junk folder? Or 10,000 pictures of your dog that you don’t need? They’re just taking up space. Delete old emails, photos, apps, texts, and data that you no longer need or want.

Which Internet Plans Support Green Internet Initiatives?

As you look to reduce your digital carbon footprint and support a more sustainable internet, choosing the right internet provider is a crucial step.

Many providers are now integrating green internet initiatives into their offerings, focusing on renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies to minimize environmental impact. By selecting a plan from a provider committed to these practices, you contribute to a greener digital future while ensuring you get the best performance for your needs.

Enter your zip code to discover internet plans in your area that prioritize green initiatives and have a positive environmental impact.