How Websites Pollute

Websites are powered by powerful computers (called servers) that are always on in large specialized buildings (called data centers). Servers require considerable amounts of electricity to operate and need constant cooling to prevent overheating. In most places, this electricity is produced by burning coal or other fossil fuels, which creates emissions that accelerate climate change.

In 2012, there were 500,000 data centers worldwide. In 2019 there are more than 8 million. This rapid growth has led experts to predict that data centers will make up 10% of global electricity usage by 2030, and generate more emissions than the entire airline industry.