We all have the preconception of digitally distributed forms of contact using less resources than those that are printed on paper, but that turns out to not be correct as we once thought it to be. Every search on Bing, tweet and email we send has an associated consumption of energy.
First of all, let’s look at the energy consumption for some of the most popular internet activities, as many people overlook the impact they are having on the environment with their internet activities. This is because not much awareness has been made and a lot of people are oblivious to the fact they are using more energy than what their home computer or laptop is using. Our laptops and computers are connected to the internet, and with each web search we are connecting to huge data centres that in them selves use a fair bit of energy.
Google, the worlds most popular search engine, is extremely secretive about the energy consumption of their data centres and their business as a whole which perhaps indicates a lack of environmentally friendliness of the company undercutting industry regulations.
When you compare this to large technology corporations such as Apple that are actively tackling the issue of environmental sustainability with every product they release.
Accessing web pages loosely come under the class of “Cloud computing” and covers most actions of the internet accessing digital content from hosted servers. As cloud computing services start hitting the mainstream, the demand for a cleaner source of energy for the servers is going to become crucial if we want to start hitting energy and emission quotas.
It’s hard to think each tweet we send releases a tiny parcel of Co2 into the environment; we have collectively hit the 50 million tweets a day and with each tweet emitting 0.02 grams of Co2, it delivers 1 metric ton of the environmentally damaging gas into the environment.
So how is Direct mail any better? It isn’t to cut it short but with companies using green processes, recycled paper and more environmentally friendly methods of delivery, it is not as far off as you might first consider. The one thing we need to understand is that we have an environmental impact no matter what we do, even breathing releases climate changing Co2. So in terms of making adjustments to how we work, we can’t we just have to understand that everything we do has an impact on the environment and if we can just put a little pressure on the powers that be to change their ways. Then maybe we can enjoy this planet for a little longer.
Andy is a closet environmentalist and works for a Direct Mail company follow his ramblings and antics on twitter @andym23.
Hi, I'm studying a Graphic Design Degree, and my current project is to brand a music channel, called 'Green Screen' much like MTV. However this channel only has artists who have an environmental awareness and are passionate about it. The proposal is that it is a completely digital channel and doesn't use any paper to advertise etc. It would be great if you could direct me somewhere to find out more information about this 'digital aweness' and if you know of any musicians that have this passion to look after our environment. thank you for you time.
matt