Can Deleting Emails Help Save the Planet?
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Understanding the Impact of Email on the Environment
Recent studies indicate that sending more than 65 emails can consume energy equivalent to driving a mile in a car.
Greenhouse gases are a major contributor to environmental and health issues. They trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to climate change, and exacerbate respiratory diseases from air pollution. The consequences of climate change manifest in various ways, including extreme weather events, disrupted food supplies, and increased wildfires. To mitigate these effects, we must take proactive steps to protect our environment, and one surprisingly effective method is simply deleting emails.
The Energy Cost of Emails
Every email sent and received utilizes electrical energy. This energy is essential for computers to access the internet and for email service providers to store data. Email services rely on vast data centers around the globe, many of which operate on electricity generated from fossil fuels, significantly contributing to global carbon emissions.
In 2008, McAfee estimated that a staggering 62 trillion spam emails had been sent, with 349.6 billion occurring that same year, predominantly from automated "bot networks." Each spam email generates approximately 0.3 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Globally, spam emails consume around 33 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy annually, equivalent to the electricity usage of 2.4 million households. This also results in greenhouse gas emissions comparable to those produced by 3.1 million passenger vehicles consuming 2 billion gallons of gasoline. Notably, according to Science Focus, sending over 65 emails equates to the energy cost of driving a mile.
The Potential Impact of Deleting Emails
Considering there are about 2.3 billion email users worldwide, and the average email size is 75 KB, if each person deleted 10 unwanted emails, we could eliminate around 1,725,000 GB of data from servers globally.
This collective effort could lead to a substantial reduction in energy consumption. The energy required to store 1 GB of data is approximately 32 kWh. Therefore, deleting 1,725,000 GB would result in a decrease of around 39,035 metric tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) or the equivalent of burning 19,356 tonnes of coal daily.
Our Mission at Valuuti
We are Valuuti, a small start-up dedicated to making a positive impact on the planet and combating climate change. Our mission involves collaborating with charities focused on endangered species, planting trees, cleaning beaches, and supporting carbon capture initiatives and environmental restoration projects.
We aim to raise awareness through our environmental blog, discussing critical issues, celebrating environmental achievements, and providing updates on Valuuti. Join us on our journey!
In the upcoming months, we will launch a sustainable clothing line, with each design supporting a specific cause or charity. Our offerings will include:
- Tree hoodies, with each purchase resulting in a tree being planted.
- Elephant hoodies that contribute to Elephant Conservation charities.
- Various services aimed at funding climate projects and promoting positive change.
Thank you for your interest, and we hope you will accompany us on this meaningful journey!
The Valuuti Team
Chapter 2: The Environmental Cost of Digital Communication
This video explores how emails impact the environment and offers practical steps for reducing your digital carbon footprint.
In this video, we investigate whether deleting emails truly helps reduce carbon emissions and how you can contribute to saving the planet.