Plug Out

ICT (computers, communications etc), equipment in general accounts for around 4% of the world’s carbon emissions. The Internet’s carbon footprint is now equal to the aviation industry, and increasingly coming under scrutiny as governments seek to achieve carbon-cutting commitments. About 50% of all energy usage still comes from the burning of fossil fuels (coal or natural gas) or even from nuclear plants, and the electricity consumption figure for the Interent is now estimated at about 16 terawatts, which means the Internet is consuming around 2 per cent of the all the energy used by humanity. Even with the latest energy saving technology deployed by all the major hosting companies, the Internet’s carbon footprint is still growing. By using Carbon Offsetting these, so called, “Carbon Neutral” web hosting companies you read about are not actually reducing the total amount of fossil fuels being used to create electricity. Most of them are simply taking their power from the grid and planting a few trees to try and compensate (one day) for the ‘greenhouse gas’ they keep pn producing. In other words, they are using Carbon Offsetting as a means to continue polluting. I help the third sector be successful online and host their websites using only renewable wind-power, geo-thermal and solar energy. Even if you don't host your website with us at Social Stategy, you need to go beyond "carbon neutral" by using only Certified 100% Carbon Free data centres.

I love the movie but how many trees died to make it...

While I was raised without a TV and before computers, I have adapted to the new era. However I also have been an environmental activist since I was a kid in the 60's so I always look for ways to save the planet. I don't even own a cell phone of any kind (less chargers), all my appliances except the fridge are on power strips, and off when not in use, all my lamps are either CFL or LED (LED is just night lights at the moment, but when the prices come down...) and except for the computer everything is turned of and the zipstrip off at night (the 'puter is on automatic power down cycle). Sure it takes time to get things up and running.... what 2 seconds? My electric is already using an alternative source option, and I hope someday soon to put a few solar panels on the roof. Even my yard lights are low (less light pollution so I can see the stars) solar LED lights ;-)

Dont't worry, we recycled them ;-)

Isn't That Kind Of A Contridiction? Using All Those Sticky Notes To Make That To Unplug Things.. Thats Not All That Green If You Ask Me.

I'm putting in a home office soon, but everything will be put on power strips for easy switching off.