With the substantial growth of the Internet during the previous two decades, we have reached a point where every online activity we engage in affects the environment. The idea of a ‘carbon footprint’ is one that we have all probably heard of and already comprehend, but sometimes we choose to remain unaware of the true extent to which even simple tasks such as browsing the Internet or watching an episode of a series on Netflix can have an impact. Fortunately, taking steps in the right direction can begin with something as straightforward as installing a browser extension.
Pebble, a browser extension created by Antarctica Global, a software developer based in Mumbai, focuses on sustainability and enhancing the ecological impact of technology. It can be installed for free on various compatible Internet browsers and determines the impact your browsing and Internet usage have on the environment by factoring in locational aspects, bandwidth usage, and more. All of this information is compiled into a dynamic, real-time report that equates your Digital Carbon Footprint to real-world effects.
Designed to function on compatible devices’ Internet browsers (currently limited to laptop and desktop computers), Pebble can be installed on your preferred browser (for me, it’s Google Chrome on MacOS) and monitors your data consumption and the specific websites you visit in order to analyze their impact on the environment.
Pebble monitors data consumption and estimates your electricity consumption and carbon footprint based on that
Quantifying your ecological impact in relatable ways
Your digital carbon footprint, which refers to the carbon emissions that can be attributed to your specific activities and technology usage, is measured in terms of carbon dioxide weight. For Internet users, this is further measured by the amount of electricity consumed during usage. It’s important to note that this includes not only the electricity consumed by your computer and Internet connection but also the electricity consumed to deliver the information or content you desire.
This electricity is used to operate servers that store data in such a way that it can be quickly and easily accessed by you. Streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video, therefore, require significantly more data and energy, making even a one-hour episode have a greater impact than spending an hour browsing websites or reading text content.
Pebble analyzes all of these factors to provide an estimate of your carbon footprint, data consumption, and the electricity consumed to deliver that data. It breaks down this information by website and service, providing comparisons such as the number of plastic bottles or liters of fuel that would generate an equivalent carbon footprint.
When you open the dashboard, you gain access to a detailed breakdown, including site-specific analytics, community-based impact calculations that account for the size and population of your location, and more. Fortunately, Pebble does not collect data, and all analysis occurs on your device itself using specific parameters tied to your location and the developer’s knowledge of carbon footprints for various websites and services.
Pebble monitors your carbon footprint based on your location
Interestingly, Pebble also takes into account the ‘carbon intensity factor’ associated with your location, which is determined by research into how electricity is generated in those areas. For instance, watching Netflix for an hour in India will have a greater impact than watching it for the same duration in Europe or certain parts of Africa.
This is due to the higher reliance on renewable energy sources in those regions, unlike India, which still heavily relies on coal for electricity generation. Consequently, the impact of consuming the same amount of electricity is less, resulting in a smaller digital carbon footprint in specific places.
We may not be able to change our habits overnight to minimize our carbon footprint, but awareness is the first step on the long journey to sustainability. Pebble helps raise awareness of our environmental impact and how even seemingly simple activities like watching videos or browsing the web contribute to the alarming rise in carbon emissions worldwide.
