Revealed: the environmental impact of Google searches

**Jason** · 01-12-2009, 08:29 AM

Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research.

While millions of people tap into Google without considering the environment, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2 Boiling a kettle generates about 15g. “Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great deal of power,” said Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist whose research on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon. “A Google search has a definite environmental impact.”

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/...cle5489134.ece

**Cathy95820** · 01-12-2009, 09:13 AM

That is a very interesting point..how many of us never really think about the fact that aside from the power created by our little machines when we submit an inquiry, it then fires up "the big brother" (or out of fairness, "the big sister") in order to receive an answer.

DonaldG · 01-14-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research.

Stone me! I wonder how many cups of coffee one could make instead of posting to TSF?

(I don't drink tea.)

**WereBo** · 01-14-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

............. said Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist whose research on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon.

I wonder just how much carbon he produced, doing his research....

01-12-2009, 08:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jason Faugh a ballagh Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pasco, FL Posts: 8,476 OS: Windows Vista My System Blog Entries: 2	Revealed: the environmental impact of Google searches Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research. While millions of people tap into Google without considering the environment, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2 Boiling a kettle generates about 15g. “Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great deal of power,” said Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist whose research on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon. “A Google search has a definite environmental impact.” http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/...cle5489134.ece __________________ Posting Tips \| Advice for New People \| Common Fixes \| Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh

01-12-2009, 09:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cathy95820 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,368 OS: Windows XP Svs.Pk 3	Re: Revealed: the environmental impact of Google searches That is a very interesting point..how many of us never really think about the fact that aside from the power created by our little machines when we submit an inquiry, it then fires up "the big brother" (or out of fairness, "the big sister") in order to receive an answer. Last edited by Cathy95820; 01-12-2009 at 09:15 AM.