The cloud… we’re all using it. It stores our photographs, emails and documents, it powers our internet searches, and our increasing use of AI tools. Think about how much our lives have come to depend on the cloud, as it enables us to study, to work, and enjoy our leisure time. It’s made itself indispensable in the way we organise our day-to-day lives.
What’s the environmental impact of using ‘the cloud’?
Whilst its very name conjures up images in our minds of soft white fluffy shapes in the sky, the reality is that the cloud is a huge industry made up of a truly vast network of computers that powers the internet and stores our data. Its servers are housed in large facilities called data centres and there are thousands of them located all over the world; such as Ireland where data centres use up almost a fifth of Irish electricity.
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They demand vast amounts of electricity to power the servers and vast amounts of precious water to keep them cool. Their environmental impacts are felt by local communities as new electricity substations are built across the globe just to power them. They store essential data for organisations, and for us. Everything needs to be backed up, which doubles up on the demand for power and water. And they never switch off. Our online activities have a carbon cost too, as using the cloud creates significant greenhouse gases. This combination is causing global environmental problems/issues for the planet.
Is there is any hope on the horizon?
Advocates of cloud computing point out that it is increasingly better for the environment, as the major cloud providers use innovative technology to leverage greener energy solutions. As more data centres are being located near sustainable energy sources such as wind, water, and solar, it becomes financially beneficial as well as being a public relations win. Google already boasts 100% usage of renewable energy for its data centres and the advances are ongoing. Whilst the environmental impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are adding to sustainability concerns, many claim that AI it is being used to solve complex problems such as climate change, and can help to make many industries more efficient.
So, what can we do?
Whilst the scale of the climate crisis can leave us feeling as if our individual efforts are ineffectual, our personal actions can create a positive effect. With April 22nd being Earth Day… it seems like a good time to think about how we can make more environmentally conscious choices in the digital space.
“The latest [NUS] survey found that 89% of students want their institutions to actively incorporate and promote sustainable development. and that two thirds of students want to learn more about sustainability and embed that within their courses.”
Bec Bennett, Assistant Director of Sustainability, University of Salford.
Reducing our digital footprint
The problem is that we just keep everything, so our data is just building up and up…
Make a note of the amount of data and digital consumption you are currently using. Measuring the impact of reducing your digital waste will encourage you in this journey.
Schedule some calendar time each week to do a digital waste clean-up. Use this de-stressing activity to break up your study or work time in a productive way.
Declutter your email inbox by deleting those emails you no longer need.
Ask yourself, why are you keeping those no-longer-needed documents?
Clean out unwanted photos on your phones and your online accounts. It’s easy to forget that they are automatically stored in the cloud!
If you mindlessly scroll through your socials, then set yourself some time limits to reduce your screen time.
Use web browser Bookmarks or Favorites for your most frequently visited sites to avoid constantly Googling them.
No more sleep mode or standby – switch off your computer or laptop at night.
All the above activities will reduce your digital waste and footprint, but they have health benefits too. Decluttering can boost your mood and your productivity, and reducing screen time can soothe your tired eyes and rest your mind.
Cloud computing and AI are in our lives now, so it makes sense to use it ethically in every way. By changing your attitude and behaviour to your online activities, you can prevent your digital footprint from expanding again!
Our University Microsoft 365 accounts give us one terabyte of file storage. Don’t see it as a challenge to use it all, let’s do the exact opposite…
