Now, it’s clear that the 0.8 grams of CO2e from an SMS are much less than the 50 grams of CO2e from a picture sent on WhatsApp. However, the point is that we usually don’t worry much about this difference because we don’t see it.
And sadly, that’s the issue. Today we recognize the environmental impact of throwing a plastic bottle on the ground, but not of doing an 1 hour long video-call or sending a 7-minute voice note.
And that is why I wanted to share with you Thijs Biersteker’s installation “MB>CO2”, which finally visualizes the hidden environmental impact of digital data usage.
The installation shows how each megabyte of data generates around 20 grams of CO2, depicted through puffs of CO2 released into a biotope as visitors interact with the installation via video calls.
And despite this installation being created in 2019, highlighting how the pandemic led us to excessive digital use, in 2024, after doing a research on a case study on digital sustainability, I realized that what still seems to be missing is the shared acknowledgment that digital is physical.
We can be frightened and outraged by the pollution from data centers, but not without questioning our habits, asking the right questions, and starting to take action.
As Warren Berger emphasizes in his book “The Book of Beautiful Questions”:
“In questioning why you believe what you believe, don’t overlook the ‘desiderability bias’ which, researchers are finding is quite powerful (perhaps even stronger than the much-discussed “confirmation bias”).”
Probably, in the context of instant messaging apps (not to mention social media), we often find ourselves influenced by our biases towards what we find desirable. Sending photos, voice notes, and videos has become not just convenient but also highly encouraged, rewarding and engaging.
However, the solution might not be necessarily stop doing it, but rather to ask ourselves:
“How can I revisit my messaging habits to make them more digitally sustainable?”
From a UX standpoint, this remains a relatively unspoken area that requires particular attention now more than ever.
Product Designers already play a crucial role in helping users reassess their digital interaction habits and behaviors.
As Vitaly Friedman highlights in his article titled “Sustainable Design Patterns And UX Toolkits,” there are already sustainable design principles that designers and developers can observe when working on a project, such as encouraging and rewarding users for trying out dark mode, aiming to reduce session duration instead of increasing it, and automatically deleting what hasn’t been used after 365 days.
And that’s why I believe there is room for hope that we can keep on promoting more eco-sustainable digital solutions and thrive in their applications.
As for communication and instant messaging systems, I believe we can make the step of proposing new habits to continue using this fundamental technology while respecting the planet we live on.
And why not, occasionally, reconsider using a good old-fashioned SMS? After all, it’s not only more sustainable but also adds a cool vintage charm.
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