By Mansoor Pirzada
Experts are attempting to move businesses toward a paperless office environment, but unfortunately, emails also contribute to environmental harm. As a result, you may be prompted to send fewer emails at some point. It may seem strange, but it’s true. There are probably several emails in your inbox right now that you haven’t opened because they’re not important. Your inbox may be full of these emails; some may be spam from a website you’ve visited.
Every email that remains in your inbox is stored in data servers worldwide. A significant amount of power is required to operate those servers without interruption. In most areas of the planet, fossil fuel is used to generate electricity, leading to severe air pollution. So, emails either directly or indirectly produce carbon dioxide, which is detrimental to the environment globally.
When you send an email over the internet, it generates a chain of energy-consuming activities via electronic devices. Your wi-fi router transmits a signal then communicates with other servers to transfer the messages which require electricity. Every device from your wi-fi router to your laptop consumes energy and contributes a share of the carbon dioxide emitted.
A spam message produces 0.3 grams of carbon dioxide, a text-based email about 0.4 grams, and an email with an attachment generates approximately 50 grams, depending on the size of the attachment. Around 320 billion spam emails are sent every day, releasing about 960 billion kg of carbon dioxide.
You can play a critical part in mitigating global pollution by taking these simple steps:
1. Go through your email inbox and delete any emails that are not necessary. This action will remove them from data servers, reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
2. Make a habit of removing spam emails that arrive in your junk or spam folder.
3. Unsubscribe from promotional mailing lists. There is usually an unsubscribe link at the bottom of those emails.
4. Turn off email notifications from social media platforms if you receive them. You can see the same update in your social media notification sections.
5. Clear your trash folder after deleting emails from your inbox; otherwise, they will continue to produce carbon dioxide for 30 days.
Implementing these simple measures will make a substantial impact in minimizing this negative environmental effect.
So, challenge yourself today; makeover your email inbox and be responsibly eco-friendly.
