One Text Big Effect

Tech, Social Media Harms Environment

Taryn Chase There are an estimated 2.5 billion people around the world connected to the internet.

Cell phones, tablets, computers. Technology is a normal part of daily lives in the 21st Century. And though this access to the world at the tip of our fingertips is great, behind the scenes our google searches and hashtags are taking a toll on Mother Nature. Social media and the world’s new-found dependability on technological devices can be partly blamed for some of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and the new carbon footprints we’re leaving behind. We should be cognizant of that impact and make responsible decisions regarding the use of our electronic devices.

Andie Stephens, associate director of a corporate carbon measuring agency known as The Carbon Trust, says that there are two sides that need to be studied when looking for the impact of social media on the environment. In an interview that appeared in the March 25, 2018 Vice U.K. magazine, she discussed these points.

“First,”she says, “there is the manufacturing, use and disposal of the devices that you access social media platforms on, such as smartphones, laptops and desktops. Then there is the background infrastructure required to provide access to those platforms . . . things like data centres, internet routers and the base stations . . .”

Data centers in particular consume a gigantic amount of electricity. With every text you send, and each web page you open, energy and electricity is needed. Data centers are used to store data and process messages sent between servers. A website can typically produce 6.8 grams of carbon emissions every time a page loads. Data centers get their electricity from fossil fuel centers, many of which are not using steps that involve renewable energy.

Greenhouse gas emissions are not the only negative effects technology is having on the environment. When people replace a smartphone or laptop, they tend to throw away their old ones. Although landfills worldwide have already raised notable

issues, the poisonous gases and chemicals within these types of technologies dissolve into the soil of the already-overflowing landfills. A lthough social media tends to have a negative reputation connected with the platforms, for misinformation and ugly comments, it’s beneficial in the fact that important information can be accessed by the masses to inform and raise awareness about environmental issues.

People have an understanding that environmental problems exist with our world but don’t feel like they can do anything to help. They are wrong. People can talk about the issues, speak to their leaders, and organize groups to help raise awareness about problems such as climate change, and call for stricter laws surrounding greenhouse gases. Recent events involving the coronavirus have forced people to remain in their homes and work from home. This has led to an increase in the amount of carbon emissions produced by internet usage worldwide.

Many countries have also turned away from their progressive work on climate change due to the intensity of the virus. People are not driving as much anymore, and for now, the world has sort of unified against this common enemy.

Why do all of these statistics and numbers matter? When greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere, they “heat” the world, which leads to climate change. These changes result in environments being destroyed, species lost, and a drastic change in weather patterns. These effects of greenhouse gas emissions are already evident from the Australian Wildfires and melting of the polar ice caps, and even the unusual tornadoes and storms that hit Fort Mill recently. T hese environmental impacts may not seem to hurt or affect individuals directly, but it is still important to be informed about how our actions truly impact the world on a bigger scale. We need to do more than just broadcast current events on different news platforms and expect something to change.

Real steps need to be taken towards saving our planet and ourselves, which begins with more awareness about environmental problems, and small decisions -- like deciding to put your phone down every once in a while.

These changes result in environments being destroyed, species lost, and a drastic change in weather patterns.

THE TALON