Our Digital Footprint: How the Internet Impacts the Planet

Our Digital Footprint: How the Internet Impacts the Planet

It’s easy to ignore the impact of something if you can’t physically see it. The digital world is not tangible, and it’s hard to understand the effect it might have on the planet. As with all things in life, there is a positive and negative side to an increase in digital use. 

We’re able to connect with people from all around the world and stay in touch with friends and family even when we live nowhere near them. And it’s not just the connection that the internet has helped with, but also education, inspiration, creativity and advancements.

But, the question remains, are we using it too much? And if so, what is the impact on our environment?

You might notice a change in the environment when you’re getting your daily series fix each night. While indulging in your nightly series routine, you may fail to perceive the environmental impact. Your mind is entirely engrossed in the events unfolding on the screen before you. However, what escapes your notice are the tangible carbon dioxide emissions generated to power the screen and play your show. 

Energy consumption is an inevitable requirement for any device to function, including electronic screens. The scale of the issue is alarming, considering that nearly every household possesses at least one television and several computers, all of which may be running simultaneously.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the data centres and transmission networks that facilitate streaming accounted for 1-1.5% of the world’s total electricity consumption and 1% of the planet’s total energy-related GHG emissions (0.6% of total global emissions) in 2021. 

The internet requires a considerable amount of energy to operate, primarily generated from the burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas. In essence, the internet consumes a significant portion of our natural resources. 

The carbon footprint of the internet is predominantly composed of activities such as online streaming and downloading, conducting online searches, storing data on cloud servers, and sending emails. Furthermore, the growing popularity of social media platforms has resulted in an exponential increase in the number of individuals accessing the internet daily.

According to 8 Billion Trees, “If one user spends time on 10 social media platforms for five minutes every day, the process would result in 20 kg of CO2 emissions per year. That is the equivalent of driving a passenger car for 52.5 miles.”

The internet isn’t going anywhere, so it’s up to us to use it wisely. We must become aware of the environmental impact of our internet usage and take appropriate measures to mitigate our carbon footprint. Even the smallest change can make an environmental impact. It is our responsibility to safeguard our planet for future generations by adopting sustainable internet practices.

Talk Tech with the Professionals

Welcome to SOS Phone Repairs – the home of phone, tablet, and PC repairs in Australia. We’re not your average tech repair company – we’re a team of gadget gurus who are passionate about providing high-quality and affordable repair services that keep your devices running like new.

We may have started out in Coffs Harbour back in 2015, but we’ve since expanded to over twenty-two locations all over Australia. And while we’ve grown, we’ve never lost sight of what’s important – our customers and their devices.

Looking for a refurbished phone that won’t break the bank? We’ve got you covered! Our range of refurbished smartphones are restored to perfection and come with a twelve-month warranty that’s valid at any of our store locations.

If you are on the hunt for a quote, diagnostic, or even just some good old fashioned, friendly advice, please do not hesitate to get in touch or give us a call today at SOS Phone Repairs. 

 

Source:

8 Billion Trees

International Energy Agency’s (IEA) September 2022 report

How to Tell If You Need To Replace Your Phone Battery

Let’s be honest, we live in a world where we rely on our phones all day, and a low battery signal is enough to send us into a flat panic. But if you’re finding that your phone’s battery drains faster than ever or you’re constantly charging it up, maybe it’s time to give it a little upgrade and swap out that old battery for a new one! But how can you tell if you need to replace your phone battery?

First, check your battery’s health. This is easy enough when using an Apple iPhone by going into the phone’s settings and looking for battery and then battery health. This will give some good statistics on your phone battery. Apple’s newer operating systems come equipped with various tools to help you gauge the health of your battery and provide valuable insights on whether or not it requires a replacement in the near future.

For a Samsung Galaxy device, open the settings app, then select device Care, scroll to the bottom and tap diagnostics, and finally tap the battery status option. After a few seconds, the device will indicate whether the battery is in good or bad health and whether it’s operating normally. However, on certain Galaxy devices, the diagnostics option may not be available in the settings menu. In such cases, you can download the Samsung Members app from the Google Play Store or the Galaxy Store, open it, and sign in to your Samsung account if prompted. Next, tap the support button on the opening screen, select view tests, and then choose the battery status option to obtain your device’s battery health report.

Four signs that you might need to replace your phone battery:

  1. Your battery is overheating. A little warmth is fine, but if it’s consistently too hot to handle, it could be a sign that your phone battery is on its last legs.
  2. You are constantly charging your phone. How often you need to charge your phone depends on your usage, but a fresh battery should last between five to eight hours on a full charge. If you’re charging every two hours, it’s probably time for a battery upgrade.
  3. Your phone going rogue and shutting down all by itself. That’s not normal behaviour! If it’s happening out of the blue, without you pressing any buttons, it’s likely due to a struggling phone battery that needs to be replaced.
  4. Your phone won’t turn on. There could be other causes, but a worn-out battery is often the culprit. If your phone won’t turn on, it might be time to consider a new battery. But it’s always a good idea to check with a service centre first.

 There are a few things you can do to extend the life of your smartphone battery, such as avoiding extreme temperatures and being mindful of how you charge it. However, once your phone hits the two or three-year mark, battery problems tend to become more frequent.

It’s important to keep an eye out for signs of battery degradation, such as overheating, fast drainage, or unexpected shutdowns. If you’re experiencing these issues, replacing your battery may be the best solution to keep your phone running smoothly.

Talk Tech with the Professionals

SOS Phone Repairs are specialists in high-quality, cost-effective phone repairs, tablet repairs, and PC repairs, all backed with a six-month warranty. Founded in 2015 in Coffs Harbour and now with over twenty-two outlets located all over Australia, our primary driving factors remain the same: people and phones. 

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, SOS Phone Repairs stocks a wide variety of refurbished phones at a fraction of the cost of a brand new one. While each has been carefully restored to perform at their best, all refurbished smartphones purchased through SOS also come with a twelve-month warranty and can be purchased at any of our store locations.  

If you are on the hunt for a quote, diagnostic, or even just some good old fashioned, friendly advice, please do not hesitate to get in touch or give us a call today at SOS Phone Repairs.