The Grass is Greener on the Web
“With great power, comes great responsibility”. This is something we all have heard of, but have you ever wondered if it can be applied to the environmental aspects of digitalization as well?
“Faster connections, improved access, greater efficiency, more profitability for companies, better healthcare and education, better governance — the list of benefits of digitalization is endless. However, one of the most lasting impacts of digitalization is probably the environment, the planet earth.” — Vipul Tuteja, The Hindu BusinessLine. This is a snippet from an article named “Go Green, Go Digital” in The Hindu BusinessLine in the Year 2013. It mentions that one of the most enduring impacts of digitalization is on the environment, which is exactly the truth. But the question that arises is, is it really in a virtuous way as it is made out to be?
According to a blog by Mightybytes.com, “Data servers will generate about as much carbon as the aviation industry within a few years.” and “Online video sites like YouTube generate at least 8,000 tons of carbon dioxide (C02) per day. That much C02 would cover the entire Chicagoland area.”. These statements are pretty much is self-explanatory in their context. The fact that going digital will is the first step towards eradicating the environmental impact of industrialization might just be a myth. There are conscious steps we need to take to make our web development more sustainable.
Here is a curated list of a few Sustainable Resources that Web Developers and Tech Enthusiasts alike can use to have Green Development practices:
- Blackle
This is an interesting tool for all “dark mode” lovers out there. This is a black screen version of Google, which consumes less energy than the white screen while putting less strain on your eyes as well. Although not yet scientifically established, it is always good to be aware of such tools that might contribute even a bit to lower energy consumption. - Emergy-C CSS Palette
This is an energy-efficient color palette by Mark Ontkush which uses only 3–4 watts more energy than a completely black screen, something definitely the frontend developers would be keen to use. - AMP WinOFF
A windows Scheduling Tool that automatically shuts down Windows computers as per user’s requirements. This utility has also been awarded the 100% clean label, so you know you are doing your bit while using it. - TLP
For all those Linux users out there, TLP is a great command-line tool that aims to optimize the power consumption in your laptops by making a power-aware process scheduler, the processor frequency scaling, and a lot more!
These resources are just a foundation for what we can do as individuals to contribute to Green Technology. Even when it comes to Tech Development, one must always remember that “Less is more!”. Being aware of our development practices and using cleaner tools can go a long way in the long run.
