I just want to introduce everyone to Blackle (if you don't already know of it)! It is Google...but Black!
http://www.blackle.com/
Basically, Blackle was created by Heap Media and is a simple way to reduce your energy consumption. Blackle works in exactly the same way as Google, yet it uses a black screen in order to save the amount of power used.
I know a lot of people out there are sceptical about how much difference can actually be made through using a tool such as this, but up until today Blackle has saved 2,033,884.015 Watt hours!
Unfortunately it is missing a lot of the features of Google (images, maps, videos etc)...but if all you need to do is to search for a web page in Google, why not use Blackle? It works in the same way and is an easy way to help the environment one small step at a time! Maybe the more and more people use Blackle, Google may start to see that it can make a real difference in how it operates and become a leader in tackling our environmental concerns!
I just learnt about Blackle today in my green marketing lecture and was also planning on mentioning it in my blog! I think it is a really great concept due to the amount of energy it saves. As my lecturer pointed out, the energy saved is enough to power a small country.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I think google should make more of an effort to advertise this 'environmentally friendly' alternative, such as having a permanent link on the main, more well known, white background google.
Secondly, they should also develop the page so that it includes all the same features as the original page, thus making it more user friendly and a viable alternative.
Google is by far the most widely used search engine on the web. If every Google user made a switch to Blackle, the number of Watt hours saved would sky rocket.
Its the small things that make the difference.
Hey Talya and Yuki, Blackle appears to just be another case of greenwashing! According to Google, it doesn't save any energy at all, and may in fact use MORE!
ReplyDeleteSee this article from Google.
Another case of the need to be wary of anything you read online.
I just read that article...very interesting! - I also learned about Blackle in our Green Marketing lecture! It is so hard to determine today what is an isn't greenwashing - especially in digital arenas which I can admit I know nothing about! I guess with everyone trying to do their part, having honest and reliable information is so important, which so greatly assisted with the Web! Thanks for the link Wags!
ReplyDeletethat is pretty amazing but I don't know whether a site engine could preserve any enegry. Doesn't it depend on your computer?
ReplyDelete