Our planet is under pressure. We are putting that pressure on it. I don’t think that can be debated. What is being debated by scientists is the exact predicted outcome of the constant pressure we apply.
There is a very complex system around our planet that keeps it ticking over. Atmosphere, clouds, and ice all effecting the albedo, which is the percentage of the sun reflected back into space, which sets our earth temperature. One of the many gases in the atmosphere which keep our planet warm is CO2, but as you know, we are now emitting an awful lot of CO2 and this in turn is effecting the albedo and creating the added warming effect which is what you hear being so often talked about.
So as writers, or users of computers at home, how can we consider our part in being a greener writer?
The carbon footprint of the internet is about 300 million tonnes of CO2 a year. This is a complex bit of information to work out and includes multiple scenarios of people using the internet all over the world, but lets just acknowledge we are a part of that and work from there.
Paper
- Buy recycled paper
- If printing to read, (not to send to an agent) print both sides. It reads like a book and lowers your carbon footprint.
- Use email rather than mailing letters. The average email has one sixtieth of the carbon footprint of a letter, but because of the ease of sending emails, it can result in us sending more and sometimes unnecessary emails. Think about what you’re sending and make sure you say everything you want to say first time.
Computing
- Don’t leave your laptop/computer on standby. Turn it off at the end of the day at the plug. During the day use the sleep if continually using.
- Manage your PC power plan. Most PC’s have these in the settings.
- Limit the use of screensavers. They actually aren’t saving anything. You’re better off using the PC power plan settings.
- If you have a choice between a desktop computer and a laptop, use the laptop, they use 80% less energy.
- Think about your cloud storage and the stuff you no longer need that you still have stored in there. The power that is being used to keep these servers running is immense, the more that is stored, the more energy is being used.
- Recycle old computers. Two charities I’ve found are Computer Aid and Donate a PC. Remember to wipe the hard drives before recycling computers though. There is a lot of sensitive, personal information stored on there.
Other
- If making yourself multiple amounts of drinks as day as I do, only have enough water in the kettle for the drink you need.
- Skype conversations/ video calls rather than travelling by car or train or plane if possible.
- Texting has a smaller footprint than mobile phone calls due to the power used transferring phone calls between cell towers and if you are on a good mobile phone plan, very often you can get unlimited texts free as well.
- Recycle ink cartridges from printers.
- Batteries can be recycled at local libraries. Our local library also accepts books in good condition.
I hope this has given some food for thought. Is there anything else you think we can do to help slow the global issue?
Annalisa Crawford says
Great tips. I often use both sides of the paper, but I don’t buy recycled (oops), I do recycle it on though… I never realised laptops were so much more efficient than desktops!
Rebecca Bradley says
Neither did I until I started researching this yesterday!
D.A.Cairns says
I am surprised to learn that laptops use 80% less energy. Some good practical suggestions.
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s a huge difference isn’t it.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – These are great ideas! Thank you for raising this critical topic!
Rebecca Bradley says
Margot, it’s something I care about, though I don’t do enough myself.
Jean Davis says
Great ideas! When I look at how much paper I used to use back when I was typing my stories, and later still printing as a backup I cringe. My laptop and a flashdrive / cloud storage is the far better way to go. I’m also a big fan of recylcing ink, batteries and books. 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
It amazing how much we recycle nowadays especially when you compare what we just used to throw away a decade and less, ago. We still have a long way to go though.
TaMara says
I try to print on both sides of the paper when I print out assignments for my kids. I also let them use the back of printed papers to draw on. I didn’t realize that a laptop used that much less energy – interesting!
TaMara
Tales of a Pee Dee Mama
Rebecca Bradley says
The laptop thing was something I learnt yesterday when I was researching for this post. Amazing how much of a difference there is.
ladysknight says
Haven’t used paper (for the computer) in years. Thumb drives are an excellent way to move pieces of info.
Great points – all
Rebecca Bradley says
I did print out my manuscript for editing when I first started it, but I’d consider using my kindle now.
Jane Isaac says
Interesting post, Rebecca, and one that makes us all re-think our habits. Thanks for the useful tips too.
Rebecca Bradley says
I was really surprised by the laptop one. I do need to do more than I do though.
nancyrae4 says
Great post! As a resident of a water-starved state, most of our conservation efforts are in the wet direction. Honestly, except for turning off my computer when not in use and double sided printing, I hadn’t given a lot of thought to recycling as a writer. I learned a lot from your blog. Thanks!
Rebecca Bradley says
I’m glad you enjoyed it Nancy. What I can’t get my head around with the water issue, is the fact that the planet is, what, 70% water? I wish “they” would sort out some way to make it work so that water wasn’t an issue.
Bel Anderson says
I didn’t even know I had a PC Powerplan! Luckily, my son is home and he just sorted it out for me, so now I am greener than before! Really interesting post, thanks!
Rebecca Bradley says
That’s great Bel! I’m really glad to see this post genuinely has changed how someone does something 🙂 Brilliant!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
We usually recycle our old computers through friends. It’s amazing how many have computers older than ours and the old one we’re giving them is actually an upgrade.
Rebecca Bradley says
I have a real old old computer in the loft from years ago that I didn’t want to just throw on a rubbish dump, but need to sort out how to recycle it now it’s not usable.
juliejs says
These are some great ideas. I even upcycle old books into art. Vintage, I love vintage and its so much better than ending up at the landfill! Such a great post! Thank you thank you thank you for your devotion to making the world a greener place!
(I’m going to pin this to my GREEN pinterest board, too!)
Happy A to Z-ing!
Julie Jordan Scott
Our Literary Grannies from A to Z:G is for Gail Hamilton
tweet me – @juliejordanscot
Rebecca Bradley says
Julie, I think you may be the first person to Pinterest my blog! Thank you!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It’s something I am passionate about, but admit I could do more about and need to research more for myself.
ksr77 says
I didn’t realise laptops were so much more efficient I do recycle but don’t generally buy recycled paper, food for thought….
Rebecca Bradley says
The laptop thing amazed me as well when I read it. It’s a massive difference in energy, 80%. One of those “nuggets” I hope people remember.
Elle Turner says
Great post, Rebecca. I try to re-use paper whenever possible but I am guilty of leaving things on standby. And it’s a good point about cloud storage too – I wouldn’t have thought of that. Thank you for all the tips. 🙂 xx
diannegray says
You have some great tips here, Rebecca! I’m so glad I use a laptop 😀
Carrie-Anne says
My magnum opus is 99% handwritten, and has been over the almost 20 years I’ve been working on it. I love being able to create something more personal and tangible than a file on a computer. I’d also recommend using older computers and not trading in a computer unless you have to. My family’s first computers, the 152K Mac and a ’93 Mac, each lasted for nine years, and were very loyal friends who did everything we (later only I) needed. I’ve found that the older computers actually hold up longer and better than modern models.
Laurie says
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems
of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either written
myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my permission.
Do you know any solutions to help stop content from being stolen?
I’d really appreciate it. https://Vimeo.com/86278646