How Much Energy Does the Internet Use?
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences, Economics, Engineering
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Hot Mess
What it is
- This engaging Hot Mess video discusses the connection between the Internet and energy usage.
- The video highlights different perspectives, discussing ways the Internet expends energy as well as reduces climate impacts.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The video incorporates a wide variety of text, music, and graphics to engage the audience and increase understanding.
- This video has a positive tone, which students may enjoy.
Prerequisites
- Students will benefit from understanding the connection between fossil fuels, electricity, and climate change.
- There is an advertisement at the end of the video. Content concludes at 3 minutes, 24 seconds.
Differentiation & Implementation
- English classes can use this video as a topic for written persuasive texts or debates. The resources The True Cost of Cryptocurrency, China's Bitcoin Mining is Threatening Its Climate Change Targets, and C-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator may be useful for this activity.
- Economics classes can use this when identifying the ways technologies increase economic growth and standards of living.
- After watching this video, students can look into the environmental footprints of emerging technologies, such as AI, and compare them with that of the internet.
From the scientist review
The world is becoming more digital through the Internet, and the resource attempts to evaluate carbon footprints from this sector. Although data centers and hubs use a lot of energy, the benefits of the Internet have made life and communication seamless. Other sectors like transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, etc. contribute more CO2 emissions than data centers. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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