Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research. While millions of people tap into Google without considering the environment, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2 Boiling a kettle generates about 15g. "Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great deal of power," said Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist whose research on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon. "A Google search has a definite environmental impact."
While millions of people tap into Google without considering the environment, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2 Boiling a kettle generates about 15g. "Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great deal of power," said Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist whose research on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon. "A Google search has a definite environmental impact."
Giant plasma TVs face ban in battle to green Britain
Energy-guzzling flatscreen plasma televisions will soon be banned as part of the battle against climate change, ministers have told The Independent on Sunday. "Minimum energy performance standards" for televisions are expected to be agreed across Europe this spring, they say, and this should lead to "phasing out the most inefficient TVs". At the same time, a compulsory labelling system will be drawn up to identify the best and worst devices.
Energy-guzzling flatscreen plasma televisions will soon be banned as part of the battle against climate change, ministers have told The Independent on Sunday.
"Minimum energy performance standards" for televisions are expected to be agreed across Europe this spring, they say, and this should lead to "phasing out the most inefficient TVs". At the same time, a compulsory labelling system will be drawn up to identify the best and worst devices.
Pravda reports that Earth on the Brink of an Ice Age - Google will bail us out?
Boiling a kettle of water requires 1000W for a minute or so (say 50kJ). A computer is a 50-100W device that you use for 1s for your search, plus Google's capacity, which I doubt is more than the calculation capacity of a computer for a second. So we're talking 100-300J here. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
But this is press release science.
On the positive side, Google is moving forward with alternative power for their centers; their own solar, their own windmills, their own rivers and dams... Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
