The surprising carbon footprint of streaming and online life
We tend to think of our digital world — streaming shows, sending emails, scrolling through social media — as invisible and weightless. But every swipe, click, and download actually comes with an environmental price tag. Believe it or not, your daily online habits contribute to carbon emissions that add up faster than you might expect.
Why digital isn’t so clean after all
Behind the scenes of your favorite apps and websites are massive data centres — huge server farms that run around the clock to store and deliver information. These data centres use enormous amounts of electricity. In fact, they accounted for about 1% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. If cloud computing were its own country, it would rank as one of the world’s biggest polluters.
And that’s just data centres. The networks carrying your data — from fiber optic cables to cell towers — also need power, much of which still comes from fossil fuels. So when you binge-watch a TV show, the energy used to stream those hours of video has a carbon footprint.
Please also read: Bigger means better: large trees capture more carbon
What does streaming really cost the planet?
Streaming a high-definition video for an hour can generate anywhere from 36 to 1000 grams of CO2 emissions, depending on how the electricity is generated and what device you’re using. To put it simply, watching a one-hour show can have a similar impact to boiling a kettle for six minutes or microwaving four bags of popcorn.
Music streaming, on the other hand, is less energy-intensive. One hour of streaming music produces roughly 55 grams of CO2 — far less than burning a CD or playing a vinyl record, which have significantly higher emissions.
Emails, video calls, and other digital habits
Even everyday digital actions like sending emails add up. A simple email has a carbon footprint of about 0.3 grams of CO2, but that number skyrockets if you attach large files. When multiplied by billions of emails sent daily, unnecessary messages actually contribute as much CO2 as thousands of diesel cars each year.
Video conferencing emissions depend on your device — a laptop call might emit around 10 grams of CO2 per hour, while a desktop setup can use up to 50 grams. While video calls do have an environmental cost, they can also save emissions by reducing the need for commuting — which often releases far more CO2.
The E-waste problem
Our love for new gadgets means we throw away millions of electronics every year. Improper disposal can lead to toxic waste and other environmental harms. That’s why extending the life of your devices through repairs, upgrades, or buying second-hand is an important step to reduce your digital carbon footprint.
Simple ways to shrink your digital carbon impact
The good news? Small changes in how we use technology can make a big difference.
- Stream smarter: Use WiFi instead of mobile data, lower video resolution when possible, and watch on smaller screens like your phone or laptop rather than a big TV.
- Cut down on emails: Avoid sending short, unnecessary messages and use messaging apps for quick communication.
- Turn off your camera: During video calls, switch off your camera if you and your colleagues are in the same room or when video isn’t necessary.
- Choose energy-efficient devices: Pick laptops and phones with good energy ratings, turn off screens when not in use, and use smart power strips to reduce standby power waste.
- Declutter your digital space: Regularly clean your inbox, delete spam emails, and manage cloud storage to avoid unnecessary energy use.
- Support green hosting: If you run a website or online service, opt for providers that use renewable energy in their data centres.
- Recycle and reuse: Repair your gadgets, buy refurbished devices, and recycle old electronics responsibly.
Conclusion
Our digital lives aren’t free from environmental impact, but being aware is the first step toward change. Remote work reduces emissions from commuting but comes with its own digital energy costs. Streaming and gaming might seem harmless, but their growing scale means they contribute more and more to global emissions.
By making mindful choices — from how we communicate online to how we power and maintain our devices — we can keep enjoying the digital world without leaving such a heavy footprint. The internet might feel intangible, but the energy it consumes isn’t. It’s time we start using it wisely.
Discover more from European Wilderness Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.