How Dirty is Our Data? (Video Infographic)

When using Inernet, did you ever imagine how much amount of energy is used? Just when you are watching your favourite video on Youtube, you release 0.2 grams of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) into the air each second. Doesn’t look much to you? But put this into the calcualtions:

• Everyday around 2 Billion videos are viewed on Youtube. Taking an example that each video watched is of 10 seconds duration, takes the carbon Emmission to 2 grams per video; and upto 4000 Tonnes of CO2 Emmission each day.

According to Greenpeace report “How Dirty is your Data?”, Nearly 2% of Global Energy is consumed By Datacenters, that with an Annual Growth Rate of 12%.

Nearly 50% to 80% of this power is provided by Coal Power Energy (dubbed as dirty energy)

IT industry has the ability to cut the emmision of Greenhouse Gases, but its own energy requirements rely on dirty energy.

• Apple and Facebook are the top companies that relied on dirty coal energy, nearly 53% each of their total energy consumptions come from Coal Power Plants, and only 13% for Apple and 6% of Facebook’s energy come from clean renewable sources.
• Hp and Twitter closely followed in the line when it comes to dirty energy consumptions with 49% adn 42% respectively.
• On the positive Side, Yahoo! had the least carbon footprint of only 18% and a clean energy index of around 55%.
• Google closely followed, with 34% of total energy consumed from Carbon Power, but an inspiring 36% from clean energy.

Google has the goal to become carbon-free, that’s why they have create a company called “GOOGLE ENERGY”, that invests in creating renewable energy sources for itself. Up-till now, Google has created million Dollars worth of Wind Farms, Solar Energy sites, as well as Makani Power Stations.

Facebook is a relatively new company, as stated in the report, has till now failed to recognise the risk and responsibility of how it sources electricity. It lacks the vision to become a company powered with clean energy.

It is a desirable Fact that steps such as by Google, are taken by Apple, Facebook and others to reduce their overall carbon footprint.

You can view the Greenpeace Report here.