The role of Website Design in Climate Change

Design can be a powerful tool in combating climate change. This includes thinking about the way we use images (text is more carbon-intensive) and realising that each action we take as creators expels carbon, which contributes towards global warming.

This is more than just pledging to fly free or reducing the use of plastic in our lives. It also includes gently guiding best practices and encouraging better ethics in creation. This could lead to cleaner websites, better hosting, or the elimination of images that are not needed.

Here are some carbon maths
Words have lower carbon emissions than images. Text is lighter than images in terms of ‘digital weight’ and thus has lower carbon emissions than images. Is it necessary to use an image as a filler?

A digital file can be reduced by 6k using words, which is equivalent to one tree not having to work to reduce carbon.
In the manufacturing of a laptop, 300kg of carbon is created.

600kg of carbon is used in the production of a cell phone.
49% refers to the decline in marine life as a result mining minerals to make this tech.

The decline in insect populations from mining the minerals has been 50%, 66% and 83% respectively.
It’s not trees. It’s human behavior.

To offset the carbon footprint from all images uploaded to Instagram between 2000 and 2020, 6.7 million trees must be planted.

Each tree can offset approximately 10kg of carbon over its lifetime. Please water trees, especially young saplings.
Shade can help cool the planet.

To counter spam emails, 32 billion trees must be planted.
When you send an HTML email, 6 leaves must be used.
Two leaves are required for a text message.
If you don’t send any emails, there are no leaves.
Do You need an out-of office email or auto reply?

It is useful to know
To reduce your airmiles, eat leftovers and change with the seasons. 9.5m tonnes of food is thrown away each year, but 8.4m people can’t afford food. Food miles and carbon emissions from food purchases and waste disposal add up to a lot. Love Food, Hate Waste offers ideas. Hubbub has a list of community fridges. There are apps, but you will need to purchase a new phone in order to use them. Remember the carbon maths.
Do Nations offer climate positive action advice and you can make a pledge to increase awareness.
You can also pledge to fly free. This year, 4,407 people pledged their support.
Secret Santa, weddings, and other gift-giving events should not be about consumption. Zero Waste Week estimates that 21 million people get at least one unwelcome gift every Christmas. Instead of asking for unwanted gifts, consider asking for charity donations. Here are some suggestions from The Soil Association.
Be sure to check your brands. Although Method and Ecover may seem like green brands, they are actually owned by S C Johnson. Asda is owned and operated by an oil company, while Cadbury and CocaCola have poor human rights records and illegal rain forest clearing. A subscription to Ethical Consumer is worthwhile as you can search for most brands free of charge. Wendy also publishes eco advice at moral fibres. This is another free resource.
Vote, nag you MP and join a group that fights climate change.
It is useful reading
George Monbiot discusses a campaign to promote change
Bill McGuire, an activist, broadcaster and blogger, is an academic, writer, journalist, and activist. Hothouse earth: An Inhabitant’s Guide was published on August 4, 2022
Five books by National Geographic

A bespoke content creator can help reduce file size, number of stages, and create custom material that is future-proof. This is a great way to tell your business’ story, and it’s also good for the environment.