60-80% of primary company data is accessed once or never. Also known as “dark data," which wastes electricity, creates unnecessary CO2, and can be exploited by AI.
With a tiney bit of awareness and some simple routines, we can make a difference.🌿
Digital data is not carbon neutral
Data storage produces 2.5 – 3.7% of all human-made CO2 and is growing, thanks to AI. In comparison, aviation produces 2.1%.
The problem
- Local or cloud data storage draws electricity 24/7.
- Requires cooling 24/7.
- Always generates one or more copies as back up.
The fix
- Empty your recycle bin .
- Delete emails 5 years or older.
- Share documents, don’t send them.
- Move old reference files to cold storage (hard disk).
Happiness Quotient
Less frustration: Easier to find the files you DO need.
Proactive focus: What you can do vs. what you should have done.
Green: Saves time and electricity.
You, your PC, and connectivity
The average adult is online for 40% of their waking hours.
The problem
- Your PC generates ca. 70g of CO2 per day. That’s 778kg av CO2 per year.
- Hardware production and waste have a negative environmental impact.
- Devices and chargers that are not in active use still draw power when plugged in.
The fix
- Maximize power saving settings.
- Turn off your PC when you leave the office.
- Turn off screens when you leave the meeting room.
- Unplug idle devices and chargers.
- Repair or recycle obsolete hardware.
Happiness Quotient
Aaaah: The sense that your workday is done
Security: Updates often run before shutdown; Smart devices without power can’t be activated accidentally
Green: Cheaper electric bills; rare minerals go back in circulation when devices are recycled.
Yes, size does matter
File size does matter. Images, videos, and streaming content generate large files. The storage and transfer of that data requires power, which generates CO2.
The problem
- “Forgetten” accounts, emails and content require 24/7 power to maintain.
- Images create unnecessarily large power point presentations and PDFs.
- Streaming (incl. video conferencing) requires lots of energy to transmit and store.
The fix
- Delete old or obsolete content from your One Drive, DropBox, YouTube, photo services, social media and other storage services.
- Reduce file sizes with the click of a button.
- Download content and work/watch offline.
- Steam together! Watch conferences, sporting events and other online content with someone, instead of separately.
Happiness Quotient
More energy when we need it: fewer files means more available electricity.
Save money: Closed accounts mean more money the bank.
Green: Being social is good for your health!
Don’t add fuel to the AI-fire
All of those files about your personal information and your open work files feed the AI-machine.
Old receipts? Application outcomes? Half-written research papers? Blurry photos in the cloud? These things give a wealth of information to Big Tech and to AI.
The problem
- AI search can use ten and 90 times as much energy than a simple Google search.
- Digital data storage has increased by 440% since 2015 – and is growing.
- AI data centers’ electricity consumption accounts for 1% of the global energy; more than the national energy needs of many countries.
The fix
- Delete obsolete photos, files, and digital content from storage.
- Identify where AI helps you and your office the most. Suggest or write a policy.
- Don’t use AI to generate images. Use the NIH Photo Archive or ask for stock images.
Happiness Quotient
Safety: Don’t give Big Tech your data for free.
Credibility: Real pictures create value; AI-policies manage expectations.
Green: Cheaper electric bills, more water when we need it.
Small changes make a big difference🌿
We don’t have to be perfect and a little bit of action goes a long way. Thank you for making the world a little greener!
To sum up: Delete, delete, delete.
Remember these actionable tips
- Empty your recycle bin regularly
- Delete emails 5 years or older
- Delete obsolete files or duplicates
- Reduce file size
- Move “nice to have” data to a hard disk
- Unplug idle devices and chargers
- Turn off your PC
- Turn off screens in meeting rooms
- Use a regular internet search
- Create an AI policy
- Stream together!
- Log off!
Referances
- The overlooked environmental footprint of increasing Internet use. Science Direct
- The environmental sustainability of digital content consumption. Nature Communications
- Digital decarbonisation – why your data has a carbon cost. Loughborough University
- Decluttering your online life: how to get your digital house in order and protect your data from AI. The Guardian
- Impacts of AI on the Environment. Parliament of Australia.
- 5 Ways to Reduce You Digital Carbon Footprint, Unsustainable Magazine
- How to Reduce your Digital Carbon Footprint, Library, University of Aberdeen.
- Less guilt, more joy: A new chapter for climate action. TED Radio Hour, National Public Radio