Commentary

Less Streaming Can Help Save The Planet - But Won't Save TV Networks, Streamers

Stop streaming right now -- if you want to save the environment. Or maybe just cut back a bit.

New research shows that four hours of streaming generates roughly the same emissions as driving one mile, according to the Greening of Streaming.

What to do? Perhaps just avoid all screens …

3 comments about "Less Streaming Can Help Save The Planet - But Won't Save TV Networks, Streamers".
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  1. Kevin Killion from Stone House Systems, Inc., October 5, 2022 at 2:59 p.m.

    I'm confused about what this is actually counting.  If the local power source is hydro, wind or nuclear, wouldn't the CO2 emissions be zero for both streaming or linear?

  2. John Grono from GAP Research, October 5, 2022 at 6:53 p.m.

    Hmmmm.

    "A peer-reviewed paper published in 2014 by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Berkeley National Laboratory estimated that video streaming from all devices -- including smartphones, TV sets -- generates 0.4 kilos of carbon for every streaming hour watched."



    1. How odd to rely on 2014 data.   Surely streaming has sky-rocketed since then.

    2. It appears the paper relies on devices  -- i.e. just at the consumer end of the chain

    3. One would assume that the massive, and I mean MASSIVE, servers that are the content source for the streaming would significantly increase the nett carbon generation

  3. Ben B from Retired, October 5, 2022 at 9:11 p.m.

    Not happening I like my TV not going on a diet plus I have to sleep with the TV on all night as well since I can't sleep without it. I can find almost anything on TV as well I do the little things to help the planet that is all that you can do to be honest. More power to those that do the walk than do the talk as I think very few do the walk to help the planet and are more the talk to give them a pat on the back type thing, also kinda with that you need to stop eating meat that isn't going to happen for those that like to eat meat and I agree with what Bill Gates said last week on meat that not eating meat is going to help the planet. 

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About the Author

Wayne Friedman is West Coast Editor of MediaPost. You can reach Wayne at wayne@mediapost.com.

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