More and more people are watching series and films online. Social media and streaming have long since become part of our everyday lives. But how harmful are streaming services on the internet to the climate? What is the environmental impact of Netflix, Amazon and co. compared to other environmental impacts such as driving or flying?
How harmful is streaming to the environment?
Streaming services alone now consume 80 percent of the electricity on the internet. The electricity for streaming is mostly generated from fossil fuels. According to a study by the Hamburg-based Borderstep Institute, one hour of streaming produces around 100 to 175 g of CO2, which corresponds to the emissions of a car driving one kilometer. However, it is generally difficult to calculate the exact CO2 footprint of streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube and other platforms. This is because various parameters, such as refrigerants for devices in large data centers or the type of network used for streaming, have to be taken into account for the calculation. For example, transmission via a fiber optic network is more climate-friendly than a broadband connection via copper cable (VDSL). There are also huge differences when it comes to mobile networks – 5G produces the least CO2, while the 3G network, which is still in use, causes significantly more emissions. Last but not least, the provider’s data center is another relevant factor when calculating CO2 emissions.
Some countries, such as Sweden, already have a good environmental footprint when it comes to streaming, as the high proportion of renewable energy and a well-developed fiber optic network in the country significantly reduce the carbon footprint compared to other European countries such as Germany.
The fascination of streaming
But why do we currently enjoy using streaming platforms so much? Our leisure time is increasingly determined by streaming. The screen is switched on and a feeling of relaxation sets in. We often watch videos specifically because we have decided to do so and really want to. On the other hand, we are also repeatedly forced to watch clips on Instagram and YouTube, as many videos are simply played automatically. With the autoplay function, users are often tempted to watch more videos. Series and films are constantly available on Amazon, Netflix and YouTube and can therefore be streamed at any time and from any location. Many services are fee-based and therefore have one major advantage – there are no adverts. However, some of the offers are also available free of charge with advertising.
Is there such a thing as environmentally friendly streaming?
The high energy demand and increased greenhouse gas emissions caused by streaming can theoretically be offset with sustainable streaming services and efficient technologies. It is not individuals, but primarily companies that are responsible for how much energy the internet consumes.
If you want to continue streaming while being mindful of the environment, you can primarily stream via Wi-Fi, reduce video quality and use energy-efficient devices. Smaller screens consume less energy, while larger displays consume more. You also save large amounts of CO2 when streaming via fiber optics. On the corporate side, measures should also be taken to make streaming more sustainable. One example of this would be changing designs, for example by using fewer autoplay functions. Stricter regulations are also needed at a political level, both nationally and internationally. Last but not least, providers should switch their data centers to green electricity in the long term in order to improve their carbon footprint.