The Internet causes Global Warming

[Desperado[1G]]

...or "climate change", or whatever vague term is being used to describe it now.

Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research.

While millions of people tap into Google without considering the environment, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2 Boiling a kettle generates about 15g. "Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great deal of power," said Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist whose research on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon. "A Google search has a definite environmental impact."

Google is secretive about its energy consumption and carbon footprint. It also refuses to divulge the locations of its data centres. However, with more than 200m internet searches estimated globally daily, the electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions caused by computers and the internet is provoking concern. A recent report by Gartner, the industry analysts, said the global IT industry generated as much greenhouse gas as the world's airlines - about 2% of global CO2 emissions. "Data centres are among the most energy-intensive facilities imaginable," said Evan Mills, a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. Banks of servers storing billions of web pages require power.

stop it, you assholes

edit: lollink http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5489134.ece

[Ashfield212]

We as a race can't do shit anymore without it contributing to climate change.

[PrimalSign]

Does this mean we'll see less internet arguments about the environment and more circle jerks?

[Desperado[1G]]

Location: The Internet

you piece of shit STOP IT THE POLAR BEARS OH GOD

[Dwhap]

;2336836']...or "climate change", or whatever vague term is being used to describe it now.



stop it, you assholes

edit: lollink http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5489134.ece

Thats right folks! The Earth is just a few clicks, and a couple google searches away from going super nova!

Actually scientists now believe the Earth is starting to fall into the next ice age which we are over due for.. I'm just glad I bought that summer home in Florida last year....

[Rokolith]

;2336905']you piece of shit STOP IT THE POLAR BEARS OH GOD

Hahaha nice one.

[Haeso]

;2336836']...or "climate change", or whatever vague term is being used to describe it now.



stop it, you assholes

edit: lollink http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5489134.ece

I'm sorry, we're judging how much harm is done to earth by measurements of boiling kettles? What kind of retarded shit is this.

[1998altima]

We should stop living as a species. That will stop Global Warming for sure.

[Haeso]

We should stop living as a species. That will stop Global Warming for sure.

Man it would sure be ironic if we committed mass genocide and the inevitable ice age happened anyway, because it's inevitable.

[PrimalSign]

;2336905']you piece of shit STOP IT THE POLAR BEARS OH GOD

Stop threatening my environment!

[Xelot]

This Ice Age will stop global warming for sure!

[Desperado[1G]]

I just did 30 google searches for no reason

take that, eskimos

[Somedude09]

;2336967']I just did 30 google searches for no reason

take that, eskimos

:lmao:

[alfaroverall]

Stop threatening my environment!
I see what you did there.

[chimp]

Haha thanks for the link, most absurd thing I think I have ever read. The academic guy has probably been severely misquoted or misrepresented by the journalist, its kind of common.

I had a lecturer who one day showed us an article some guy had contacted him about. The journalist had used about two sentences out of what the guy had said, surprise surprise they were inflammatory when taken out of context.

The backlash ended up wrecking the guys academic career and has permanently labeled him as a shit stirrer.

[Sandrix]

Can someone articulate what is so ridiculous? Are their numbers fudged? What is it?

Is it the wording? Its the process of generating the electricity used to power the servers that handle the searches that creates the greenhouse gas.. so if that's it the I guess I can see it..

[1998altima]

Can someone articulate what is so ridiculous? Are their numbers fudged? What is it?

Is it the wording? Its the process of generating the electricity used to power the servers that handle the searches that creates the greenhouse gas.. so if that's it the I guess I can see it..

I have highlighted what is so ridiculous.

P.S. I hope your being sarcastic.

[Ankh]

Oh sweet Jesus we're all going to DIEEEEE!!!!

[Sandrix]

I have highlighted what is so ridiculous.

P.S. I hope your being sarcastic.

You highlighted "greenhouse gas." Do you find greenhouse gas is ridiculous? Or is it the relationship between greenhouse gas and electricity generation that you find ridiculous?

Not sarcastic, just asking for clarification.

[Kekshorts]

Oh my god... this is too funny. The only solution is too kill half the population and have a 2 child limit.

[Seriousbisnis]

Well guys, I would love to say and chat, but I have some google searching to do.

[chimp]

Can someone articulate what is so ridiculous? Are their numbers fudged? What is it?

Is it the wording? Its the process of generating the electricity used to power the servers that handle the searches that creates the greenhouse gas.. so if that's it the I guess I can see it..

Its the implication that doing a google search has a minimal yet tangible negative effect on the environment. Its a bunch of bollocks. The power that the google infrastructure uses - it comes from the grid. Electricity generation has to be maintained at a constant level at various points in order to keep the entire grid up - even if its not being used, so there is always going to be a degree of wastage there.

The fact is, you could argue that having children is damaging to the environment - children take oxygen out of the atmosphere and produce carbon dioxide as a waste gas. Luckily for us - plants love that shit, so Im not too worried about my potential future children sucking all the air out and leaving the planet a dried up husk.

There probably are various facets of the environment to be concerned about, and no doubt we could utilize new technologies to one day reduce our carbon footprint. But trying to imply that Google is somehow having a tangible damaging effect on the WORLD is just too ridiculous, sorry.

[Weeking]

Those server parks would only add to it if the waste energy is not useful for something else like heating. Desktop computers in cold places only do it during summer. Google could easily fix that problem if it ever became much of a problem and/or energy costs rose drastically. But besides, computers will use less energy in the future with solid state drives replacing HDs f ex.

[Killuminati]

Oh my god... this is too funny. The only solution is too kill half the population and have a 2 child limit.

I think you may wake the utilitarians.

[Elynole]

Taking a shit lets off harmful gases into the air...stop shitting.

[Tabarnak]

Thats hilarious

[Dhig]

Ok, I turn off my computer and go for a ride in my car instead :rolleyes:

[Bissen]

We as a race can't do shit anymore without it contributing to climate change.

Mass suicide, the Jones Town way.

[Dyrrn]

what's even funnier about the OP is that the biggest voice on Global warming is the same guy that claims to have invented the internet.

[Ion_StormH]

Just lets build big arcologies. They're far cooler than nature anyways. ;)

[Bissen]

Just lets build big arcologies. They're far cooler than nature anyways. ;)


Uhh uhh, I remember that sweet discovery extreme engineering where they were featured once. Sounds like the way to go.

[Nexus]

Yeah yeah, that's right! Pull the internet down so the masses can't communicate or gain knowledge and it makes people all the more easier to control.

[Feyrband]

thanks to the internet i have killed hundreds of kittens, and if that somehow contributes to global warming then so be it.

[Acetaminophen]

Haha thanks for the link, most absurd thing I think I have ever read. The academic guy has probably been severely misquoted or misrepresented by the journalist, its kind of common.

I had a lecturer who one day showed us an article some guy had contacted him about. The journalist had used about two sentences out of what the guy had said, surprise surprise they were inflammatory when taken out of context.

The backlash ended up wrecking the guys academic career and has permanently labeled him as a shit stirrer.


Should have went the direct route and hopped onto these forums for 20 minutes.

[Ankh]

SURPRISE, SURPRISE, The Times made the whole thing up. Or something.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/01/12/revealed-the-times-made-up-that-stuff-about-google-and-the-tea-kettles/

[PKSinister]

Damnit, there goes my plan to destroy the world, one google search at a time.

[DeadlyHit]

;2336967']I just did 30 google searches for no reason

take that, eskimos

:lmao: Nice.

[Targuil]

Some shit like that won't stop me from playing Darkfall.

[DeadlyHit]

Some shit like that won't stop me from playing Darkfall.

Only the hippies would care.

[Ziegler]

My custom Hummer now has automated builtin google search through onstar every 1/4 mile.


Just doin my part.....

[Brillen]

Pull the internet down so the masses can't communicate or gain knowledge

That gave me quite a giggle.

I learned this (http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Does_the_pope_shit_in_the_woods%3F) on the interwebs. How's that for gaining knowledge? :D

[Erroneous]

They should bring the use search smiley back and add a tire fire in the background.

[Ion_StormH]

Depends on where I get my energy from. Mine's green, or at least it says so on the bill.

[Tribaja]

PEOPLE, USING FORUMFALL KILLS BABY SEALS !

Stop using forumfall !

[Legatosoren]

;2336836']...or "climate change", or whatever vague term is being used to describe it now.



stop it, you assholes

edit: lollink http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5489134.ece

It's not google's fault, it's the inefficient energy systems in place.

[Atnas]

Hah! Imagine the irony of someone googling "How to stop global warming"

[Trikk]

Hello I am a fat American I don't believe in science. Evolution and AGW is a lie. Brb going to McDonalds.

[Ankh]

Hello I am a fat American I don't believe in science. Evolution and AGW is a lie. Brb going to McDonalds.

/facepalm

[Jezrith]

I'm sorry, we're judging how much harm is done to earth by measurements of boiling kettles? What kind of retarded shit is this.

Welcome to the "Green Movement"...