Invisible contributions to CO2

As a child in the late 70s and early 80s, my household had limited electronic devices, including one television, one landline phone, a computer with a monitor, and a couple of hi-fi systems for the kids. However, over the years, our digital presence has expanded significantly due to the growing demand for the latest devices, constant internet access, and an addiction to screen time.

The rise in humanity's digital presence, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to an increasing carbon footprint. Remote work and heightened internet usage have raised electricity demand, primarily sourced from fossil fuels. The manufacturing and disposal of electronic devices, such as computers and smartphones, contribute to environmental consequences, including the generation of e-waste and the release of hazardous substances. Despite the perceived sustainability of online activities, the environmental cost associated with the digital carbon footprint remains substantial.

Our daily use of electronic devices, predominantly powered by fossil fuel-generated electricity, significantly impacts the environment. During the initial months of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders (January-March 2020), a 40% surge in internet use resulted in an additional demand for 42.6 million megawatt-hours of electricity, as per a 2021 Yale-led study. The manufacturing process of devices involves environmentally impactful activities like mineral mining and transportation, while the disposal of electronic devices leads to substantial e-waste generation.

The impact of our digital activities extends beyond visible consequences, as emails, photos, workouts, and work documents saved to the cloud are supported by energy-intensive data centers. These centers, demand substantial electricity for operations, including cooling equipment. Data centers and transmission networks collectively contribute to 2% of global electricity demand, equivalent to the aviation industry's consumption. Despite efforts for more energy-efficient data centers, projections indicate that by 2040, digital data storage will produce 14% of the world's total emissions.

In total, our devices, the internet, and their supporting systems account for 3.7% of all greenhouse gas emissions, a figure expected to double by 2025.

To address the issue of electronic waste (e-waste), which amounts to 50 million tons annually, with only 12.5% being recycled, it's advised to resist impulsive device upgrades. Combatting planned obsolescence by caring for existing devices and opting for repairs is crucial.. Consider selling or donating working products to local organisations, and when disposing of electronics, ensure correct recycling by researching nearby e-waste collection centers.

To manage the environmental impact of cloud storage, users are advised to periodically clean out their cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox, deleting unnecessary files and obtaining team approval for clearing mutual folders at work. Storing data locally on devices or moving less frequently accessed files to external hard drives is suggested. Before choosing a cloud service, individuals and businesses are encouraged to explore options and consider environmental impact and emissions.

Limiting unnecessary streaming is crucial, as 60% of internet traffic comes from videos streamed on platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Stan. According to The Shift Project, 300 million tons of carbon dioxide are generated from watching videos every year, equating to about 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Users are advised to limit unnecessary streaming by not keeping videos playing when away or asleep, turning off auto-play on YouTube, and closing tabs on browsers that might play video ads without user knowledge.

To reduce the environmental impact of emails, users are encouraged to email more mindfully. While sending emails is more environmentally sustainable than physical letters, each email generates carbon emissions. Spam emails emit 0.3 grams of CO2, regular emails emit 4 grams, and emails with attached photos emit 50 grams. Users are advised to avoid unnecessary emailing, think about going “old school” and opt for in-person communication, when possible, delete old emails, declutter inboxes, and unsubscribe from unnecessary mailing lists.

To reduce the environmental impact of personal devices, users are encouraged to power them with renewable energy sources. While individuals may not control how data farms or tech companies use energy, choosing renewable energy for personal devices helps avoid harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

In summary, if you thought you were doing everything you can to reduce your carbon footprint, then think again.

Modern household’s digital footprint