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From the Are You Serious? Pile

  • Jan. 12th, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Willow
IF you want to help save the planet from carbon carnage, cut your Google searches, scientists say.

Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research, The Australian reports.

While millions of people tap into Google without a thought for the environment, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2. Boiling a kettle generates about 15g.

"Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great deal of power," said Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist whose research on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon.

"A Google search has a definite environmental impact."

Google is secretive about its energy consumption and carbon footprint.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,28348,24900147-5014239,00.html

Come on! Cut your Googling, Save the World? Is that really what they are arguing?!

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[info]martinlivings wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 02:34 am (UTC)
I wonder how much carbon was used researching and writing that story? ;)
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[info]girliejones wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 02:35 am (UTC)
Honestly! *shakes head*
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[info]battblush wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 06:08 am (UTC)
The article seems very environmentally friendly to me. It's made with 100% manure.
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[info]punktortoise wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 02:36 am (UTC)
I'm sure those energy-consumption figures could be checked. There's bound to be discussion on the net about it, and there's an obvious way to tap into that ...
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[info]girliejones wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 02:37 am (UTC)
Heh. Nooooooooooo no google!!!!!!1
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[info]punktortoise wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 02:49 am (UTC)
So if we're to restrict our google usage, does this mean we should avoid repetition of google searches by generating hard-copies each time we run one?
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[info]girliejones wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 02:49 am (UTC)
Heh.
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[info]punktortoise wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 02:52 am (UTC)
Don't think of it as wasting paper, think of it as carbon sequestration ...
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[info]nyssa_p wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 03:19 am (UTC)
"a typical search generates about 7g of CO2. Boiling a kettle generates about 15g. "

Cut Googling AND coffee? NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Sometimes I wonder for the rationality of these people. If we got rid of the cows and pretty much all technology, I'm sure it would be better for the environment, but how likely is that?
What is their goal exactly? This is something that confuses me a little.
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[info]punktortoise wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 04:14 am (UTC)
"If we got rid of all the cows ..."

Now *I'm* confused. Do cows google?
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[info]girliejones wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 04:29 am (UTC)
No, they fart.
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[info]punktortoise wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 04:41 am (UTC)
True. But maybe, after this latest news, it's a moot point as to whether more CO2 is released by cows, or by people researching the topic of bovine flatulence rates on the internet ...
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[info]girliejones wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 04:44 am (UTC)
hmmm .... a lot to think about there
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[info]nyssa_p wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 04:36 am (UTC)
Maybe while we're sleeping they look up cow porn... :P

Nah, I read an article the other day that said some enviromentalists believe that if we got rid of the cows and ate kangaroo meat instead, there would be significantly less co2 being released.

I believe in renewable energy, recycling and saving water. Take my steak and I'll stab you with my fork.
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[info]girliejones wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 04:38 am (UTC)
well there's other good reasons to eat kangaroo over cows - such as for decreasing pasture, fertilisation and preventing erosion and desertification.

I'm a vegetarian. Just sayin'
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[info]nyssa_p wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 04:47 am (UTC)
Those reasons and effects make sense. Getting rid of cows just because they fart seems crazy (butt plugs for everyone?) which is the only thing that the article mentioned. And getting rid of my coffee and my google is dangerous!

My bf's family are vegetarians too, and they've managed to get me into things like vege hotdogs. There is no way in the world I could touch a meat one now! Everyone should try vege hotdogs!
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[info]looneymoth wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 10:20 am (UTC)
I just got the most awful mental image of the 'rush hour' when all the butt plugs had to be removed for... sanitary purposes.

Innocent victim 1: "Is that the Freo Doctor coming in?"
Innocent victim 2: "Freo doc.. HOLY CRAP GET IN THE CAR!!"
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[info]battblush wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 06:10 am (UTC)
Our house eats more kangaroo mince than pretty much any other sort of meat. After you've eaten it for a while, everything else tastes bland. And it's heaps cheaper.
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[info]nyssa_p wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 06:33 am (UTC)
Really? I'll have to try it...Can it beat lamb? :P
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[info]battblush wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 06:40 am (UTC)
It's a strong meat, but you know you're eating meat. We use it all the time for nachos, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, things that have a tomato base.

We like it, but I do admit to a fondess for lamb too.
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[info]girliejones wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 04:15 am (UTC)
They're called red herrings.
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[info]bbullock wrote:
Jan. 12th, 2009 04:50 pm (UTC)
"This research paid for by Alta Vista."
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[info]girliejones wrote:
Jan. 13th, 2009 01:13 am (UTC)
ha!
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[info]jonquil wrote:
Jan. 13th, 2009 01:41 am (UTC)
The numbers are bullshit. See the official Google blog.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/powering-google-search.html
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[info]babalon_93 wrote:
Jan. 14th, 2009 06:28 am (UTC)
here you go, my energy concious husband uses this: http://www.blackle.com/
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