This story is Entertainment Month Triple Pundit Sustainable Living ChallengeHere are some easy ways to have fun, save money and reduce your impact on the environment. Click here to find out more and take part in the challenge.
Every year or two, news headlines and online memes begin circulating warning that excessive video streaming is emitting huge amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
These claims have been largely proven false. It’s true that streaming Netflix, or using the internet for any purpose, consumes energy in the data centers that power your devices and the internet. This energy consumption translates into carbon emissions, but the impact is far smaller than is often reported. According to an analysis by the International Energy Agency and PolitiFact, 45 minutes of video streaming is roughly the same as driving four miles in a gas-powered car.
When it comes to the environmental impact of our gadget usage, streaming is pretty low on the list of things to worry about, but if you want to minimise your impact on the environment, you might want to consider these sustainable gadget habits:
Make your device last longer
Generally speaking, the environmental impact of manufacturing a device and sourcing the materials needed to make it is much greater than the environmental impact of just turning it on and using it every day. For example, Apple publishes the lifecycle carbon footprint of all its devices, and the majority of that is due to manufacturing.
So using your electronics longer is better for the planet and better for your wallet. Extending the lifespan of your devices also reduces unnecessary e-waste, which is a serious human rights issue around the world.
Using a protective case for your phone, laptop or tablet will reduce the risk of accidents, and deleting old files and unused apps will free up memory and make your device run faster. And remember to turn it off – leaving your device on or in sleep mode for weeks without turning it off will shorten its lifespan.
A few simple changes can also help extend your battery life, which is one of the main reasons people trade in their old devices. To make your battery last longer, try not to let it go below 20% and, if possible, unplug it when it’s around 80%, a scientist who studies lithium-ion batteries told The Washington Post. Don’t stress about charging your device overnight, but avoid leaving it plugged in all day. And unfortunately, fast charging is hard on your battery too, so save it for when you’re in a hurry and opt for a standard charger for everyday use.
If you find yourself reaching for your charger multiple times a day, a simple battery replacement can often add years to your device’s life. If you’re brave enough to do it yourself, iFixIt has a huge library of repair guides and replacement parts. Computer repair shops and retailers like Best Buy and Apple can also replace batteries and fix common issues like cracked screens.
Simple changes to save energy
Most of the energy consumption associated with scrolling through social media, streaming audio and video, and browsing the web actually comes from our devices. According to an analysis by the International Energy Agency, “for example, a 50-inch LED TV uses much more electricity than a smartphone (100 times more) or a laptop (5 times more).”
When buying electronic devices, look for certifications that indicate the device is energy efficient, such as the Energy Star seal in the United States, the European Union Energy Label in Europe, or other global eco-labels.
You can also save money and energy by cutting down on so-called “vampire energy” – the energy large appliances use up by remaining in standby mode even when turned off. This may seem insignificant, but about 10 percent of U.S. household electricity usage comes from vampire energy, costing up to $200 a year. Simply plug your large electronics, like TVs, sound systems and desktop computers, into power strips and turn them off when they’re not in use.
Buy used devices if possible
Secondhand is a solid option when there are few meaningful differences between the older and newer models in stores. A waterproof Bluetooth speaker for lounging poolside, a starter games console for your child, or an ergonomic keyboard for an office environment are just a few examples of where opting for secondhand can save you money and environmental impact.
Your local thrift store is a good starting point, but warranty options may not be available and you’ll want to make sure your device is in good working order. Refurbished electronics can offer a higher level of warranty. While it varies from retailer to retailer, “refurbished” usually means the device has been inspected and, if necessary, repaired. Some retailers, including Apple, Bose, Microsoft, and Samsung, offer a one-year warranty on refurbished electronics. To find brands and retailers that sell refurbished tech, check out this roundup from Engadget.
Clean up your cloud space
When you back up your photos or archive your emails, that data needs to be stored somewhere. Global energy usage associated with the data centers that power cloud storage is estimated to be about 0.30 percent of global carbon emissions. While this isn’t a huge amount overall, it is far more than the energy required to store data on an external hard drive.
You can reduce cloud clutter and unnecessary carbon emissions by turning off unnecessary cloud backups and monitoring your cloud folders. It’s much easier to delete 30 identical selfies once a week or once a month than it is to wait two years and process thousands of photos. Transferring documents, photos, and videos you want to keep from your cloud folders to an external hard drive (if you have one) will reduce your emissions and save you money on additional cloud storage space.
Similarly, with emails, don’t accidentally hit the “Archive” button: Archive if you think you might need it later, but default to “Delete” for anything you’ll never read again.
Communicate to companies that you care about the sustainability of your devices and data centers
In an ideal world, we wouldn’t have to think about these things at all, because our data centers would run on renewable energy and our devices would be manufactured to high environmental and human welfare standards. Technology companies are working to improve, but that’s not the case today.
Companies generally take an issue more seriously if they know it’s something their customers care about and care about. Reach out to technology companies and large data center operators you do business with through social media and contact forms on their websites to voice your opinion. Let them know that you want more energy-efficient devices and that you’re interested in improving energy use and switching to renewable energy in your data centers.
It may seem like a small thing, but it’s actually the most impactful item on this list: if big companies listen to customer demands for further changes, the impact of our favorite gadgets could be greatly diminished.
How are you reducing the environmental impact of your devices? Let us know at [email protected].
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