When it comes to cleaning up the environment, we tend to think about physical things like land, water, and air. But what about the digital space? It turns out the internet is one of the biggest polluters on Earth—the 4th largest, to be exact—a growing concern given the shift to increasingly virtual territory in recent years.
More people of all ages are working, shopping, and interacting online than ever before, and this virtual connection has real impact. Estimates suggest that digital pollution is currently responsible for 3.7% of greenhouse gas emissions—on par with aviation emissions. Due to alarming growth, digital pollution is projected to reach 14% of CO2 emissions by 2040, with implications on future generations of people and businesses.
But why is the internet so dirty?
It’s because when websites are complex or data-heavy, they consume more energy and storage space, causing higher carbon emissions. Code that supports these types of websites is often not well-organized or efficient, and the navigation can be difficult to digest—resulting in a website that’s both inaccessible and a drag on the environment. Websites that are more streamlined are both people-friendly and planet-friendly; they tend to be more accessible, more inclusive, and more sustainable. Designing with sustainability in mind is a win-win strategy.
So how can you make your website “greener” for the environment? Efficiency is key:
- Create simple navigations to avoid misguided traffic and unnecessary page loads.
- Incorporate a search tool to help people find exactly what they’re looking for.
- Think strategically for the long run to minimize frequent rework.
- Use videos and animation thoughtfully, with appropriate size optimization.
- Follow web standards in order to keep code clean, improve speed, and optimize performance.
- Consider the use of renewable energy for operation.
In honor of Earth Day, test out how green your website is. If an upgrade is in order, let’s connect – we can help you design a more sustainable web experience!
