Can you recall when Kylie Jenner took that 17-minute jaunt on a private jet? ⁽¹⁾ Shockingly, the Internet emits roughly the same volume of carbon each year as the aviation industry⁽²⁾. This implies that your plethora of untouched, stored emails or those late-night TikTok scrolls that last far longer than expected are adding to carbon emissions in quite the same way. 

So, where do we begin? 

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1. Let's consider emails
   
   'On a global scale, the world's email usage generates almost the same volume of CO2 as having an additional seven million cars on the roads'⁽⁵⁾. Sounds like it's time for a digital spring clean! Get deleting and unsubscribe from all those unnecessary mailing lists too. This will help reduce the emissions associated with storing and sending them⁽⁶⁾. 

2. Halt the Endless Scrolling
   
   We're all guilty of whiling away the hours endlessly scrolling through TikTok — I’m looking at you, Penn Badgley devotees. However, a single minute on TikTok generates about 2.6 grams of CO2⁽⁷⁾, and we all know how easy it is to spend several hours engrossed in video content. Why not try setting app timers, or just curtailing your scrolling in general? Not only will this reduce emissions, but there's an added bonus - it could also significantly benefit our mental health and well-being⁽⁸⁾.

3. Try Ecosia
   
   Ecosia is a search engine that utilises its advertising profits to plant trees and engage in climate action. While Google and Bing may be carbon-neutral, why not take things a step further and pursue a carbon-negative status⁽⁹⁾? Pop over to their blog for a more detailed explanation of their work.

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As I said, the Internet is far from a haven of cleanliness, but there’s much we can do to tidy up our own act and help make a wider difference. Start with these recommendations and let’s continue the conversation.

If want to do more than just reduce your digital carbon footprint? At GLDN Studio, we build digital solutions with sustainability and style in mind. Let’s shape a more sustainable future for your business online. Contact us today to learn about our sustainable design and development services.