How Much Energy Does the Internet Use? | Hot Mess 🌎

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About half the world has internet access. That’s 3.6 billion people surfing the web. How much energy is that using? And what is our online world doing to our planet’s climate?
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Host/Writer: Miriam Nielsen
Creative Director: David Schulte
Editors/Animators: Dano Johnson
Producers: Stephanie Noone & Amanda Fox
Story Editor: Alex Reich
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Hanson
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Produced by PBS Digital Studios
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Thanks to the funders of Peril & Promise for supporting PBS Digital Studios. Peril & Promise is a national public media initiative from WNET telling human stories of climate change and its solutions. Learn more at www.pbs.org/wnet/peril-and-pro...

[@ChronitonMechanics]

Of course, if you start using high-tech gadgets like Alexa... But I think the main concern is more around the incredible waste of metallic ressources and energy used to make tons of fragile electronic devices difficult to repair with a short lifespan...

[@sambishara9300]

Thats more an electronics problem than an internet one.

[@user-ft7ld5wp1l]

We're actually pretty efficient with our electronic though. For what i know, many partially broken phones are sent to china and they strip them off, and take the working components. The only waste components (that still works) are those that are very old

[@irenvega9372]

Our internet consumption pollutes a lot and I think that we should save our time to use the internet in a more efficient way. Watching videos is the most polluting activity. Is a responsible internet possible? I'm debating the Polemix App right now because it's much better to express your opinions than to read them on youtube, complicated. You can join the debate I must have free invitations left with my code: LA740

[@lord_gillespie]

You forgot about the amount of energy it takes to manufacture the devices (cell phones, tablets etc) and the inevitable pollution this causes.

[@marcusalm7350]

A quite large number of data centers are located in places which minimizes their impact on climate change. Here in Sweden we have a lot of energy coming from hydroplants in the north, a place it is already cold. This minimizes the cooling needed, as the air outside is pretty cold already. Most of the year. And with electricity produced on the grid coming from nuclear (40.47%), hydro (39.70%) and wind (10.15%) (in 2016 numbers from SCB) the electricity needed for cooling/ventilation/servers/other is relatively carbon free.

[@Barnardrab]

I never thought of that. Considering that, would you say that Antarctica would be the ideal place for data centers?

[@marcusalm7350]

@@Barnardrab Not sure... You still need the infrastructure to build the giant building needed, not to mention all the cables to pull data to and from. The power could be solved on site, but at an incredibly inefficient cost. As you need to build power production and storage and everything needed for a stable grid.

[@ilyaelric9539]

Barnard Rabenold No, but Alaska may be just the right choice

[@TommoCarroll]

It takes a lot of emotional energy that's for sure 😂😅

[@SciFiFactory]

GOD I am relieved!

[@Ali107]

ikr?

[@Sanjay-ub7eq]

same lmao

[@Mattia_Chinello]

The problem is not Internet, but the way to produce elettricity.

[@jackinat0r114]

Great channel, keep up the videos

[@pranavlimaye]

The internet is definitely making our planet more....cool.

[@prabathhemachandra]

And less unsafe

[@irenvega9372]

Our internet consumption pollutes a lot and I think that we should save our time to use the internet in a more efficient way. Watching videos is the most polluting activity. Is a responsible internet possible? I'm debating the Polemix App right now because it's much better to express your opinions than to read them on youtube, complicated. You can join the debate I must have free invitations left with my code: LA740

[@ssiddarth]

Amazing videos each & every time, love the channel

[@ketsuekikumori9145]

Didn't realize cylons could infiltrate via salt and pepper shakers. Probably cheaper to build than a human one.

[@Girlcatlove1524]

This is interesting!

[@milos_radovanovic]

How much of that 5% is just cryptocurrency mining?

[@joaodorjmanolo]

That makes sense. 2/3 of energy used on internet are for mining bitcoin and altcoins.

[@erlendtryti]

The data was from 2012 so probably about 0%

[@marcusalm7350]

Last I heard Bitcoin mining took as much energy as Denmark, and that was during the "gold-rush", so it is possibly lower now.

[@sascha5858]

What has crypto mining to do with the internet? blockchain is needed for transferring coins not for mining them

[@milos_radovanovic]

Sascha in your logic: what has internet connected fridges got to do with the internet then? "Creating" coins is a kind of a secondary thing when it comes to mining in terms of the whole system itself. It's just a reward for miners' work on hashes used for transactions. If mining stopped there would be no more transactions at all! That is quite unlike printing money which can be used even if you stop printing new bills! Also internet is fundamentally a part of the mining. Miners compete for calculating hash in shortest amount of time, which is not really possible without the internet. I gather you are in to crypto? Better learn how it all works fast! All I can do is to watch in horror as mining devours our resources, and creates one of the next big bubbles.

[@chrisklugh]

I Can Watch All The Cat Videos Guilt Free!!!!

[@aalizwel2061]

Cool video

[@RafaelFaenir]

Great video! I actually thought that internet energy consumption was higher, it's a bit of a relief to know it is just about 2%... But like some people mentioned, I'm curious how much Bitcoin/cryptocurency mining influences the overall picture. Another topic that would be a nice follow up is the matter of the gadgets themselves! Now only carbon emissions from extracting and processing all the materials and complex electronics, but maybe also a bit on the pollution and limitations of the resources we use (how much Lithium is still around? Should we worry about it as a limited resource? It's definitely non-renewable...) Keep up the good work!

[@durzapoduszka]

Can you do a video about how much metals is there, and how long they would last for? Because just like we use more and more fossil fuels, we use more and more metal.

[@za012345678998765432]

You missed bitcoin, it uses a ton of energy, and if it keeps devoloping at this rate it would need as much energy as the entire world uses these days.

[@joaodorjmanolo]

up

[@haniyasu8236]

To be fair, the mining does have a pretty significant purpose in checking security (well... if and when bitcoins actually become a viable currency), and while I'm not sure on actual statistics (and it very well could take more power), current encryption and security protocols aren't exactly free of heavy computation either. It's just that bitcoin has all of that computation very concentrated on dedicated computers.

[@haniyasu8236]

To be fair, the mining does have a pretty significant purpose in checking security (well... if and when bitcoins actually become a viable currency), and while I'm not sure on actual statistics (and it very well could take more power), current encryption and security protocols aren't exactly free of heavy computation either. It's just that bitcoin has all of that computation very concentrated on dedicated computers.

[@christianlassen1577]

A Hot Mess video that was optimistic and encouraging of something?? That hasn't happened since the video about neighbors helping each other. It's really tiring trying to learn about the climate when everything about it is so.... discouraging. Thanks for a nice break on this one. I enjoyed it

[@Noukz37]

This would be a perfect video for Ecosia to sponsor! I've been using it for the past few months on my phone, laptop and at work too!

[@by9917]

I can't remember the last time I used a DVD, CD, book or even had a periodical subscription. All of my devices are powered by solar on a net basis, and I send MWHs back to the grid every year (MWH = 1000KWH). Best month was 1.4MWH more going out of my meter than coming in, and that is for a total electric home, all electric powered yard tools and 2 EVs that are always charged at home.

[@zentouro]

heck yeh. that's great!

[@dhindaravrel8712]

I certainly don't need to leave the house as often as I used to, now that I can read up on things I need at home rather than having to go to the library. And watching films in the comfort of my own home rather than driving to the cinema (yes, driving, as I live far away from the nearest cinema and public transport does not exist in the evenings). So yes, it does cut down on a lot of things... BUT I refuse to give up my habit of reading actual books. Besides, having them all sit on my shelves binds carbon, too.

[@CaptainQwazCaz]

Not only am I wasting my life but I'm also wasting my time/energy on the internet on memes rip polar bears

[@ilyaelric9539]

You don't look like a chimera ant king :D

[@KellyClarkD]

I wouldn't be surprised if online nail cutters finally existed. 😂

[@ZomBeeNature]

Could we say that if ALL the people on the planet had internet then it would use 4% of the electricity? It's a lot, but nothing compared to the benefits to the world.

[@joaodorjmanolo]

Well, if has something that I'll never give up for helping the climate is stop using internet.

[@The_SOB_II]

What about the manufacture of the devices.... There has to be a pretty significant effect coming from the rare earth mining, assembly, and plastic

[@dfjshjkd]

yay

[@hpekristiansen]

"Internet connected devices uses 5% of the worlds electricity" *That is grossly under estimated.* Electric cars, computers, phones - everything is on the internet. Soon all fridges, ovens, washers and light bulbs will also be on the internet.

[@Miki-fl9ez]

What we should do it is absolutely ban anything physical that is substitutable by digital means

[@electronresonator8882]

it's possible to charge devices that connected to internet with renewable energy, but no so much for transportation vehicles

[@jerry3790]

Oh the irony

[@1996Pinocchio]

no ..?

[@rosethekitty665]

*Smashes I pad lol*

[@CarbonRadio]

Could we design an internet infrastructure that is net zero energy or completely off the grid?

[@necko2529]

Does anyone think Miriam looks like she's related to Olivia from SciShow???

[@eaterdrinker000]

I hope that this isn't as offensive as I didn't intend it to be, but I'd guess that they're only ethnically related.

[@malikathueler2529]

Please do a video on programs like Ecosia that allow you to "buy back" your carbon emissions!

[@wobh688]

30 BILLLION at 0:53 what do I win!

[@alexanderwu]

I have a burning question: is using the cloud actually better for the environment? Everyone tells you to go digital to save paper, but cloud backups use electricity, produce heat, and requires multiple backups in multiple data centers, which uses more electricity, produces more heat, and also requires metal. Overall is it really better to go paperless?

[@0megadwarf]

the earth has a lot of stone...i'd say stone tablets. the romans had it right.

[@kundanmergu9559]

I mean, there are people who throw not very old electronic gadgets and buy new ones in the market. This wastes the metallic substances, which are used to make all the gadgets.

[@ness894]

"GOOGLE technically an alaphbet owned company named deepmind" what in the world?!?!?!

[@Cosmic_Sunset28]

This is why i use Internet for.

[@fatsquirrel75]

All I could think all video was "how little energy would it take for Miriam to fix her hair".... very little I'm sure.

[@jackcornelius8021]

Lol she needs to wash it.

[@roy4173]

How much energy would be used in farming beef alternatives? Such as farming shrimp, lobsters, other seafood, and even lesser popular choices like crickets and ants that are more commonly accepted in Asian countries?

[@zentouro]

I'm not sure folks would consider seafood to be a beef alternative. Though if you're looking to watch a video about alternative meats the ReInventors channel put out this video a little bit ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5DOnYeQrdpnp7c

[@sambishara9300]

Theres a place in Africa where they collect hundreds of flys in a net and make a burger patty out of it.

[@ZomBeeNature]

Eating bugs, ugh!😝 You would still need to feed them, so you'd be throwing crops into the ocean. And I wonder where you would do it with easy access?

[@roy4173]

@@ZomBeeNature for the Asian countries that farm crickets and ants, they use significantly less produce to grow them. Shrimps and lobsters are also farmed I think. So a lot of meat alternatives to beef that would be much less demanding on the earth while providing the needed protein without necessarily going full vegan, though it's still an option

[@PuffyRainbowCloud]

The shrimp farms are AWFUL for the local environment though. They kill off mangrove forests which are crucial for local ecosystems and keep the shores from eroding.

[@e1123581321345589144]

Please explain carbon neutral KZbin channel. How does that work?

[@patrickreese1868]

The shirt

[@Furiends]

This episode irks me a bit. Compared to the baseline data centers have some advantages on energy including that they sometimes use local generation which is more efficient. Almost universally computers and devices have used less energy. Look at an old flip phone. It'll probably have a 1200 mAh battery. While a new smart phone like the iPhone has a 1700 mAh battery. From a dumb phone to a ghz cpu, gpu and bright screen and not even a doubling in battery capacity. Technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy use 0.5 watts when transmitting at full power. Gaming rigs typically don't exceed 500 watts. You can account for ALL energy use of the Internet in terms of the energy saved by switching from CFLs to LED lighting.

[@unom9515]

But farming animals is using a ton of energy, water, it's making us resistant to antibiotics, makes those poor being suffer and also makes us sad and unhealthy.

[@Barnardrab]

Are Google's data centers powered by solar panels?

[@TheEarthScienceTeacher]

Is that a USQ shirt I see?

[@eidane1]

hmm you do know another problem is that we have to use nat cause we do use IPV4? this means you need a lot more power to actualy send the data to you. that is a bigger problem.

[@sogerc1]

Well, my home rig can easily consume 200W so I'm definitely not doing my part...

[@SouravTechLabs]

Don't worry about electricity and pollution from it, if you use solar energy... That way you can even use a supercomputer only to watch this video without polluting the environment!

[@antoniodragonheart8965]

Is the Internet digital or analogue?

[@farhanari9547]

But... analog is my a e s t h e t i c

[@rosethekitty665]

Creepy all hearing devices oh god

[@eylon1967]

Is there a source for the claim that using the internet is etter for the enviornment than using paper from recycled sources and responsible forestry?

[@sk8rdman]

I don't think it's fair to count all devices that can be connected to the internet toward the internet's power consumption. Most of the power used by these devices doesn't contribute to it's internet connectivity, and often times, they don't even need to be connected to the internet to operate.

[@senshi01]

Hey alexa ! this is so sad !

[@senshi01]

Play despicato 3018

[@Friendship1nmillion]

HOT MESS It's Okay to be smart There's 1 time where I'm recharging my smartphone without fossil fuels : While in Norway and Sweden. Over there {where I have family and friends} their reliance on renewable energy is over 💯% . 😛 🔌📲 🌞🌨🌬 🚘

[@albertgerard4639]

We got ourselves an Internet GHG apologist right here

[@thesilentgod7863]

and she is an apologist because?

[@ZomBeeNature]

Too bad no one uses acronyms so no one knows what you mean by GHG apologist...

[@staubi954]

De schaud aus wia fom Lastwong zamgfon

[@ridhiagarwal8524]

she looks like female neville longbottom

[@Katraan]

This might be crazy but hear me out *N U C L E A R I N T E R N ET S E R V E R S*

[@Aquillyne]

Can you please back up your assertion that digital materials are better for the environment than paper materials?

[@s.z.6118]

A video about.... nothing.

[@senshi01]

HMMM what about bitcoin mining ? I am so perplexed !! plus the components used to fabricate computers and accessories, and cellular phones. Also say this is not as worse as alternatives so we should do it is the fallacy of two wrongs make a right...

[@ianprado1488]

Energy austerity is cancerous mindset. Nuclear power provides abundant, safe, CO2-free electric power

[@Kazamezo1]

God this video was boring. I couldn't finish it.

[@ZomBeeNature]

That's only because you are a sword-swinging ancient God. Nothing can excite you.

[@Torodes23]

alright i get it I'll unsub so that I don't waste more energy on videos

[@thesilentgod7863]

if you are worried about emission level + pollution, but still want reliable 24/7 internet, then support nuclear. it is on 24/7 with full/near full capacity and produces emission and pollution free clean energy. the whole world can be powered cleanly and economically if we really want it. nuclear+hydro+geo is the answer to climate change, solar and wind plays a supplementary role at best.

[@ZomBeeNature]

Nuclear is not pollution free, not for thousands of years.

[@SiddarthSiddu71]

U look soo tired

[@justicewithanish]

Carbon neutral KZbin channel ? Seriously

[@granta6216]

Dumb video. The math only accounts for the amount of electricity used while this stuff is turned on. Not the amount of energy (all sources) used to mine the rare earths, build the equipment, ship it, construct the data centers, replace all of this electronic equipment every 3-5 years, and then burn the old equipment in an open pit to get the metals out. The internet is not the least bit green.