Green IT, also known as sustainable computing, brings together all the methods and technologies put in place by a company with the aim of reducing its carbon footprint.
In this article we are going to explain the causes of digital pollution, and then show you that with a few fairly simple tips and tricks it is possible to reduce our digital footprint on the environment.
Taking stock
How much pollution does digital technology generate?
We all use digital technology, whether in our professional or our personal lives, but we are not necessarily aware of the ecological footprint we leave behind. Every year, digital technology accounts for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A single search engine query emits roughly between 0.2 g and 6.56 g of CO2 (this varies depending on the search engine used and the type of query performed). If that sounds like very little, bear in mind that 6.9 billion queries are carried out around the world every day.
The points made in this article need to be qualified, because it is not all black and white. Digital technology pollutes, but it also makes it possible to reduce certain types of pollution through different consumption patterns. For example, the digitisation of documents has reduced paper-related pollution, and remote working has reduced the pollution generated by transport.
However, as you will see, it is not only the way we consume that pollutes: there are other factors to take into account too.
What is it that pollutes?
When we talk about digital pollution, there is of course the pollution generated by data storage and data transfer, and so on. But we often forget the pollution generated by the manufacture and destruction of digital devices. For example: from the extraction of raw materials to the final distribution of a mobile phone, it is estimated that the phone will have travelled a distance equivalent to four times around the Earth.
The operation of the internet itself pollutes, because antennas have to be maintained, new equipment planned for, infrastructure built, and so on.
Then there is the end of life of digital devices and their recycling: France generates 173,000 tonnes of electronic waste per year.
Now that we have taken a quick look at the pollution generated by digital technology, we can ask the following question: how do we go about reducing it? Well, it is actually quite simple — but above all it is within everyone’s reach, and that is where Green IT comes in.
The possible solutions
At company level
To put a Green IT approach in place within a company, there are several areas you can work on.
First of all, when it comes to data storage, it is possible to use what is known as a “Green Data Center”, in other words a more environmentally friendly data centre. Its buildings are cooled using a process based on water evaporation. This makes it possible to do away with the large air-conditioning units needed for cooling, which consume an enormous amount of electricity.
To reduce CO2 emissions on the server side, companies can also favour on-demand services so as to use only what they need.
Although data is said to be worth its weight in gold, it is often kept in excessive quantities, which can have a negative impact. Companies are advised to sort through it and delete data that is obsolete or unnecessary. On the one hand, this makes things clearer and allows data to be analysed more effectively. According to the statistics, less than 25% of a company’s data is actually put to use. On the other hand, it reduces the storage of useless data.
Finally, when it comes to websites, we now talk about sustainable web design (eco-design). In other words, creating greener websites by choosing a green host, as explained above. But also by trying to write code that is lighter to load, by eliminating animations that serve little purpose, or by creating a more restrained site. Do not forget to optimise images, or to avoid including videos.
When you are working, you can also adopt simple habits that will help reduce your carbon footprint. For example, keep an eye on your mailbox. You are almost certainly holding on to a large number of emails that are no longer of any use to you. Yet these have to be stored in data centres that consume an enormous amount of electricity. The habits to adopt are: clean out your mailbox regularly, be careful not to copy in too many people, favour sharing documents via a drive rather than as an email attachment, and unsubscribe from the newsletters you no longer read. Finally, do not forget to delete the emails sitting in your bin.
At individual level
At user level, a few habits can also be applied. There are eco-friendly search engines such as Ecosia (a search engine that plants trees) and Lilo (a search engine that supports social and environmental projects).
Making simple queries and bookmarking the sites you use regularly also help reduce CO2 emissions from the queries sent to servers.
Finally, you should try to extend the lifespan of digital devices as much as possible. Do not replace them too often, have faulty ones repaired where possible, and buy second-hand.
Digital technology produces pollution that is invisible to its users. Today we know this, and we can make better use of all the tools at our disposal. Adopting a few simple habits can already help reduce the environmental impact. Now you know all about it — it is up to you to put the right habits into practice!
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