What is the carbon footprint of the internet?
Most people are aware of the large carbon footprint of vehicles and agriculture, but cutting down our internet usage could have a massive positive environmental impact.
Asked by: Carol Lennox, Bromley
Connecting together all the world’s smartphones, laptops, desktops and other gadgetry, the infrastructure of the internet uses a lot of energy, and that in turn gives it a hefty carbon footprint. According to a study by the Boston Consulting Group, the internet is responsible for roughly one billion tonnes of greenhouse gases a year, or around two per cent of world emissions.
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Authors
Robert is a science writer and visiting professor of science at Aston University. He likes maths, West End musicals and hamsters.
