The real impact of technology

Cloud computing and internet both seem to have very little impact on the environment, but in fact they do.

How ?

First, a lot of resources are needed to create computers

These resources, such as heavy metals or oil, are often mined by people in poor countries who aren't paid much for the hard and dangerous work they provide.

What else ?

2,6t

Raw rock

Oil

Chemicals

Water

800kg

240kg

22kg

1500kg

of raw materials are needed to create one laptop

Then, there are datacenters

Receiving and sending data all over the world, they need a lot of energy to work. In some countries, fossil fuel is the main source of electricity, which makes it not so good in terms of co² ...

So what is their impact ?

4%

Well, scientists estimate that technology is responsible for 4% of the worldwide CO² emissions

So what can we do ?

We can use longer

our technologies, without buying the brand new smartphone every year, for instance.

But if you own an old phone, laptop or any other device, you can make it have a second life by giving it to reconditioning companies, such as Backmarket.

These companies can repair and resell devices, which makes them have a smaller impact on the environment.

... and ?

We can use better

the web that helps us every day.

Some applications try to have a positive impact on the environment, such as Ecosia or Lilo.

These are search engines that finance environmental projects with some of the money they make.