When we hit ‘send’ on an email, it might not seem like a big deal, but it actually has an impact on the environment. Here’s why:
Why Emails Matter:
- Big Emails Use More Energy: If your email has lots of stuff like big files or pictures, it needs more energy to send and store. That means a bigger carbon footprint.
- Emails Stick Around: Even after you read an email, it stays on servers, using up energy to keep it there.
- Devices Use Energy Too: The devices we use for emails, like computers and servers, also use up energy.
How Much it Adds Up:
- Each email might not seem like much, but when billions of emails are sent every day, it all adds up to a lot of carbon emissions—like a few grams to quite a lot of grams of CO2 equivalent for just one email.
What We Can Do:
- Keep Emails Smaller: Try to send emails without big attachments or lots of pictures. That way, they use less energy.
- Send Less: If we all send fewer unnecessary emails, it helps reduce the impact on the environment.
- Use Better Tech: Using servers and systems that use less energy can also make a difference.
Email Impact Around the World:
- United States: About 20-25%
- China: Around 15-20%
- India: Roughly 10-15%
- European Union: About 15-20%
- Rest of the World: Around 30-35%
Understanding how our emails affect the environment can help us make choices that are better for our planet.”