This month has seen some amazing reporting on digital sustainability issues. Mainly focussed on Data Centres and AI, they’ve been hard hitting, well researched and wide ranging. As excellent and thought provoking as the reports I’ll share in this issue are, they’ve all been somewhat gloomy. Coupled with the recent events in Valencia and the disheartening US election results, it’s left this Curiously Green manager trying hard to not feel too blue.
At times like these, what is called for is some community interaction and the sharing of good news, positivity and change making energy. In that spirit, my latest article for Wholegrain asks you to share your sustainability (digital and IRL) highlights for 2024 and your challenges for the year ahead.
You can share yours via this form and we’ll share the best responses to help bring some light to the autumnal gloom.
A lot of the amazing reporting I mentioned in the intro came in the form of the Data Vampires series from the Tech Won’t Save Us podcast. An impeccably researched and reported four part series on big tech, data centre growth, AI founder politics and much more. It might well be the best piece of tech journalism I’ve read or listened to this year.
A must listen for anyone who regularly uses AI for work or personal activities.
So how can people fight back against big tech? Holly and William Alpine might just have some of the answers. Holly and Will are former Microsoft employees who quit their roles on environmental grounds.
They tell their story of grassroots employee activism in a two part episode of Green I/O.
My big takeaway from this is that collective actions of engaged, positive groups can be effective and that sometimes walking away is the most powerful action to take.
“What if Tom Greenwood ruled the world?” is an interesting question to be asking a day after the US election results. Tom’s recent appearance on the “If I ruled the world” podcast is an optimistic look at the state of digital sustainability today.
It’s always useful to be reminded that curiosity and questioning the norms can open up the world to positive possibilities. The environmental impact of the internet wasn’t a consideration a few short years ago but the curiosity and positive action taken by pioneers like Tom has led to a blossoming of understanding and action.
A small warning, the episode starts with mildly fruity language that our Client Success Director Georgie wasn’t quite ready for on an early morning commute. Forewarned is forearmed!
It’s always strange to hear something you’ve said before, being repeated to you by someone you’ve only just met. This actually happens quite a lot when I’m discussing digital sustainability and sustainable web design. In fact almost all the “origin” stories that I hear on this topic involve a variation of the phrase:
“And obviously I read Tom’s book”
I suppose when the founder of your agency literally wrote the book on Sustainable Web Design that shouldn’t be a surprise.
First published in February 2021, the book remains a must read for anyone with even a passing interest in website sustainability and performance. While the industry and understanding of the internet’s environmental footprint have come a long way since publication, it is remarkable how much of the book’s content is as relevant and fresh as it was three and a half years ago.
Tom has just republished the book on a new platform. The core content remains the same but with some additional insight in an afterword on the challenges still facing the industry today. If you haven’t read the book (you’re with friends here, you can admit it if you want), you’ll find details of how to do so in the link above.
Andy Davies
If you are a non-profit in the UK we still have some original copies available for free. Follow this link for more information.
Shorter notes from the Green Web
We want to hear from you!
Don’t forget, we want to hear more from you, the Curiously Green community! If you’re heard or read something that may be of interest, please share any links, and your thoughts with us.
Even better, we’d love to know what you’re working on. If you have any case studies or projects you’d like to share, or new approaches you’ve tried that may be of interest, this is a great way to share with like minded folk so please head over to our submission form and tell us all about it!
Please also share your wins from 2024 and challenges for 2025 here –
We can’t wait to hear from more of you. 💚
Positive news from the Curiously Green community (and beyond)
A new platform in the UK aims to promote enfranchisement and consensus building in politics. The Suffrago team want to help citizens voices be heard and for politicians to get clear signals to aid decision making. In a world of algorithms and AI, promoting real voices can only be encouraged.
There is actually a fair amount to be hopeful about in the fight against climate change. This episode of Science Vs debunks some myths and presents the case for hope in a world crying out for it.
When the news is bleak you can always step away from your screen and get outside. Things rarely look worse after some contemplative time in the fresh air. Why not check the link above and find somewhere to get outside for an extra 15 minutes today?
If you’re interested in being part of the Wholegrain Digital team, we’re always happy to hear from individuals dedicated to making a difference in the world via digital sustainability.
If you don’t fit the roles advertised at any time, you’re always welcome to get in touch with the team by replying to this newsletter to learn more about us and explore options in a casual conversation.
