7. December 2023
Matthias Wagener
Welcome to part 6 of our blogpost series on streaming, which is all about the sustainability of our extended evenings on the sofa binging series or enjoying a movie night.
In episode 01, we looked at the history of streaming, learned that streaming now accounts for about 82% of (internet) network traffic, and that the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions are data centers, network infrastructure, and of course the end-user devices required.
In episode 02 we looked at data centers and their impact on climate and environment.
Then episode 03 was about the network infrastructure that distributes data between data centers and brings it to our cozy homes.
In episode 04, it’s our turn as end users: after all, the vast majority of CO2 emissions from streaming are due to the end devices used!
Finally, in episode 05, we took a closer look at our streaming behavior and considered ways to identify possible levers for reducing emissions.
As much as we have learned about the negative environmental aspects of streaming – we, the people, love it. And streaming is not going away anytime soon.
And well, who can say otherwise, we love to curl up on the couch in search of relaxation and distraction and tune in to our favorite provider. Streaming won with undeniable advantages over “linear TV” – not to mention the seemingly distant past of having to deal with video tapes or DVDs – Netflix got into the business as a DVD rental service!
The constant availability of our favorite shows, the compatibility with our individual viewing habits, and the incredible variety of offerings – streaming fits the individuality and freedom we want for our lives.
And: the technology of video streaming has certainly helped many people through the pandemic with the offers of Skype, Zoom and Co. It enriches our lives in general by giving us easier access to art, culture, and knowledge, or by helping us to stay in touch in almost any situation via video calls.
And so streaming as a technology – not just a consumer offering – can be an ally in the fight against the climate crisis: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also uses its own YouTube channel as a mouthpiece for climate change research and science. So it’s not streaming, it’s us, dummy!
Streaming will always be a climate-negative technology.However, we still have the opportunity to positively influence the carbon footprint of streaming through our mindful usage behavior without completely giving it up – even if we start with small steps.
By becoming aware of our relationship with digital content use, rethinking and adjusting our behavior, we can all help prevent streaming from becoming a climate killer.
This includes recognizing that, above all, less streaming means cleaner streaming. How much greenhouse gas do you think is emitted when someone actually watches that eight-hour video of a starry sky in 4K I just discovered on YouTube on an 80-inch flat screen? Who wants to do the math?
It must be clear to us that data is not free and not infinite – and with that knowledge, it’s now up to us!
Sources:
https://www.bitkom.org/sites/main/files/2020-06/200618_lf_nachhaltigkeit-von-streaming.pdf
https://www.bitkom.org/Presse/Presseinformation/Video-Streaming-und-CO2-Die-wichtigsten-Fakten
https://www.bitkom.org/Presse/Presseinformation/Digitales-Lagerfeuer-Video-Streaming
https://www.marktforschung.de/marktforschung/a/blick-auf-das-streaming-verhalten-der-deutschen/
https://www.videoaktiv.de/2020122135337/news/markt/virtuelle-weihnachten-streaming-durch-die-welt.html
https://www.arte.tv/de/videos/RC-023064/frankenstream/
https://www.bitkom.org/Presse/Presseinformation/Wunsch-mehr-digitaler-Umweltschutz
