Everyone use Google nowadays. It is a fantastically efficient search engine. But do you know what support Google's engine ? Computers. Lots of computers. Actually, about 600 000 servers and 36 datacenters. So, even a simple request consume lots of power:
A Google search consumes the same amout of energy that the use of a low consumption light during one hour. (source)
But I'm not saying here you shouldn't use Google. Instead, make a conscious use of it. Here are two suggestions.
- If you know the address of a website, type it in the address bar instead of in Google in ordre to access it directly. It takes you the same time, but you saved one hour of electricity.
- If you don't know the address, but go to the site frequently, consider using the Firefox web browser. With Firefox, any word you type into the address bar is looked up into your history and your bookmarks.
Location of the address bar.
Type anything in to view a drop-down list of suggested results appear.
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
Attention, what I have not say is that Google is the bad guy. It is only the largest search engine. Actually, they are pretty engaged towards environment. A quick look at their Foundation will convince you. They try to have a zero carbon footprint by compensating their emissions.
If you want to go further, you might consider a simple tool to help you. Edison is free program that helps following you energy consumption on you computer and to improve it.
Update : On January 11th 2009, Google reviewed this issue on their blog. They claim lower energy consumption that the ones mentioned here as well as low carbon dioxide emission. In any case, two things remain sure. First, one can spare energy by not making unusefel searches (in Google or elsewhere). And second, Google is, as far as I know, the most ecological search engine availabe as they put strong investment into renewable energies to power themselves.
