New Study Explores Environmental Impact of a Virtual World

The world shutdown caused a record drop in global carbon emissions in 2020, but a new study conducted by researchers from Purdue University, Yale University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggests there is another threat to the environment emerging. The study, published in the journal Resources, Conservation & Recycling, says the global shift to remote work and at-home entertainment is having a negative impact because of the way internet data is stored and transferred around the world.

Being at home on the internet seems as though it would be the best way to avoid environmental damage. But looking at the environmental impact of each gigabyte of data used on YouTube, Zoom, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and 12 other platforms, as well as in online gaming and miscellaneous web surfing, tells a very different story.

With many countries reporting at least a 20% increase in internet traffic since March 2020, if the trend continues through the end of 2021, the energy used would require a forest of about 71,600 square miles, which is twice the land area of Indiana. It is also estimated that the water required would be enough to fill 300,000 Olympic-size swimming pools, which is almost equal to the size of Los Angeles.

Just one hour of videoconferencing or streaming emits 150-1,000 grams of carbon dioxide. To put that in perspective, a gallon of gasoline burned from a car emits about 8,887 grams. That same hour online requires 2–12 liters of water and demands a land area adding up to about the size of an iPad Mini. Researchers found, however, that leaving the camera off during a web call can actually reduce these footprints by 96%. They also discovered that streaming video content in standard definition rather than in high definition while using apps such as Netflix or Hulu could reduce the footprints by 86%.

Analyzing the water, land, and carbon footprints associated with internet infrastructure has never been studied in this way before. Researchers say the estimates are rough and require further studies. However, they hope their findings will call for higher transparency to guide policy so the public can be educated and understand the true impact of a virtual world.