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Bloggers, You Need to Switch to a Green Web Host (for Free)

Your website causes CO2 emissions

By Mark CampbellPublished 2 years ago 4 min read
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Your blog is contributing to the climate crisis. The internet pollutes the same amount of CO2 as jet aircraft, and it is going to get much worse. But there is something you can do about it. Switch to green web hosting — free of charge.

Sounds simple — and it is. Millions of us switch energy provider when we find a better or greener deal, and this is just the same.

It is easy to park your blog in a greener location — all the technical work will be done for you, quickly, and without any cost.

All the companies who have genuinely green credentials and also offer outstanding performance and customer service are listed below.

Switching to green hosting is something ALL bloggers and businesses should be doing. None of us should be causing environmental damage through our websites, in an age where carbon emissions simply must be reduced to protect life on earth. It really is that serious.

We need to swap everything for a cleaner, greener alternative. So make sure your blog is included in that mission.

Why are blogs bad for the climate?

Blogs and other websites are hosted — stored — on huge servers in massive data hubs, which demand a great deal of energy use.

The servers run 24/7 and must operate in a cooled environment to run properly. That cooling also uses vast amounts of energy.

To generate most of this electricity, fossil fuels like coal and gas are being burned, making the internet a dirty, polluting, carbon-emitting nightmare of a beast.

It is estimated that data hubs account for 2% of the world’s carbon emissions — which makes them just as polluting as the airline industry. And we’re always hearing about how people need to take fewer flights, aren’t we?

So should we be using the internet less? It isn’t going to happen. Internet pollution is expected to grow to a huge 14% of the world’s emissions by 2040.

Fortunately, responsible web hosting companies are taking action to offset this energy use, or reduce it at source. I’ve named them below, and you should seriously consider switching your blog to one of them today.

Not only is site migration free of charge, the green hosting plans start at just a couple of dollars or pounds a month — so no more expensive than what you’ll already be paying for hosting — probably even cheaper.

What if I’m starting a new website?

The same advice applies! Better to start as you mean to go on, with green hosting that will benefit the environment.

There are many blogging ‘experts’ out there who will try to sign you up to Bluehost (usually) in order to start a Wordpress blog.

But Bluehost, Hostgator, InMotion and GoDaddy are actually among the hosts who do not advertise any green credentials — and whose performance is actually way below that of the green web hosting companies as well.

What is green web hosting?

Sustainable, green or eco friendly web hosting offers the same features as any other hosting package — with the important difference that action is also taken to reduce the environmental impact of your website.

A green web hosting company might use renewable energy to power up the servers, so instead of relying on fossil fuels, they generate electricity from wind, solar, tides or geothermal heat.

Companies can also buy carbon credits — a permit to emit carbon dioxide as long as action is taken to offset their carbon footprint.

One of most popular ways to offset CO2 emissions is by teaming up with charities and other organisations to plant trees around the world, in the areas where they are most needed, helping to capture CO2 and offer local employment.

In other words, helping YOU to be greener and more ethical. Which is surely what you desire in these challenging times?

The 7 Best Green Web Hosting Companies

Why seven? It is not a random number — there are only seven (so far) that I believe match up to the requirements of being a genuine green web hosting company, while also offering exceptional performance and customer service. I hope that more will follow their lead.

They are (in no particular order):

  • Kualo
  • Kinsta
  • Siteground
  • GreenGeeks
  • Eco Web Hosting
  • Guru
  • HostPapa

If your blog or website is not hosted with one of these companies, you seriously need to consider switching. They are the only ones facing up to their responsibilities.

You can read all about their green credentials and website performance here >>

I dream of a world where all websites are green. I hope we get there soon.

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About the Creator

Mark Campbell

Journalist and blogger, editor of greengreengreen.org, on a mission to inform, educate and entertain

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  • Toby Heward2 years ago

    How are your stories so successfull?

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