Update : The energy intensity figures for data centres and data transmission networks were updated to reflect more recent data and research. But slowing efficiency gains, rebound effects and new demands from emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, raise increasing concerns about the overall environmental impacts of the sector over the coming decades. The relatively low climate impact of streaming video today is thanks to rapid improvements in the energy efficiency of data centres, networks and devices. These exaggerate the actual climate impact by up 90 times. Yet, contrary to a slew of recent misleading media coverage, the climate impacts of streaming video remain relatively modest, particularly compared to other activities and sectors.ĭrawing on our analysis and other credible sources, we expose the flawed assumptions in one widely reported estimate of the emissions from watching 30 minutes of Netflix. Streaming services are associated with energy use and carbon emissions from devices, network infrastructure and data centres. In this commentary, we examine the carbon footprint of these services. With few options left for entertainment, streaming services are taking off. A version of this commentary was originally published in Carbon Brief.Įven before millions were confined to their homes by a global pandemic, improvements in internet connections and service offerings had led to an exponential increase in the use of streaming video around the world.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |