Streaming Services and the Environment
2020-09-15
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1A new study suggests that streaming services can lead to higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
2Researchers say the results depended, in part, on which technology was being used to send data.
3The German government provided money for the study.
4Germany's Federal Environment agency published a report on the findings.
5Many studies have linked "greenhouse gases," such as carbon dioxide, to rising temperatures in Earth's atmosphere.
6Greenhouse gases are a product of pollution from factories and other human activities.
7Streaming services send videos, games, music and other material over the internet so that people can watch or listen to it immediately.
8The researchers estimated the amount of carbon dioxide produced by data centers where material is stored for streaming.
9It also looked at the technology used to get the data to consumers.
10The report found that streaming video over fiber optic cables results in the lowest amount of carbon dioxide, or CO2 emissions - 2 grams per hour.
11Copper cables produced twice that amount.
123G mobile technology resulted in 90 grams of CO2 emissions per hour.
13The report said streaming over 5G, another wireless technology, would result in carbon dioxide emissions of 5 grams per hour.
14Data centers were responsible for only a small amount of the energy used.
15But there were differences depending on how servers were used and cooled, the report noted.
16Christian Stoll, an energy expert, was not involved in the study.
17He said the report's carbon dioxide estimates seemed reasonable.
18But he noted that the study did not consider how much electricity was taken by devices that were used to watch videos.
19Stoll noted that such devices "represent a significant part of the total emissions."
20Presenting the report, German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze said the study tried to give data to decision-makers at a time when digital issues are important.
21The timing, Shulze added, is also important as countries try to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
22"It is possible to stream data without negatively impacting the climate if you do it right..." she said.
23Schulze suggested that it might "be a good idea to set up more public WiFi hotspots, as this is more climate-friendly than streaming in mobile networks."
24I'm John Russell.
1A new study suggests that streaming services can lead to higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers say the results depended, in part, on which technology was being used to send data. 2The German government provided money for the study. Germany's Federal Environment agency published a report on the findings. 3Many studies have linked "greenhouse gases," such as carbon dioxide, to rising temperatures in Earth's atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are a product of pollution from factories and other human activities. 4Streaming services send videos, games, music and other material over the internet so that people can watch or listen to it immediately. 5The researchers estimated the amount of carbon dioxide produced by data centers where material is stored for streaming. It also looked at the technology used to get the data to consumers. 6The report found that streaming video over fiber optic cables results in the lowest amount of carbon dioxide, or CO2 emissions - 2 grams per hour. Copper cables produced twice that amount. 3G mobile technology resulted in 90 grams of CO2 emissions per hour. 7The report said streaming over 5G, another wireless technology, would result in carbon dioxide emissions of 5 grams per hour. 8Data centers were responsible for only a small amount of the energy used. But there were differences depending on how servers were used and cooled, the report noted. 9Christian Stoll, an energy expert, was not involved in the study. He said the report's carbon dioxide estimates seemed reasonable. But he noted that the study did not consider how much electricity was taken by devices that were used to watch videos. 10Stoll noted that such devices "represent a significant part of the total emissions." 11Presenting the report, German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze said the study tried to give data to decision-makers at a time when digital issues are important. The timing, Shulze added, is also important as countries try to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. 12"It is possible to stream data without negatively impacting the climate if you do it right..." she said. Schulze suggested that it might "be a good idea to set up more public WiFi hotspots, as this is more climate-friendly than streaming in mobile networks." 13I'm John Russell. 14Frank Jordans reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 15_____________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17streaming - adj. a method of sending and receiving video and audio material online 18emission - n. the act of producing or sending out something, such as energy or gas 19consumer - n. a person who purchases goods and services for personal use 20fiber optic - n. thin threads of glass or plastic that carry very large amounts of information in the form of light signals 21cable - n. a group of wires or glass fibers, covered in plastic or rubber, and used to carry electricity or electrical signals 22server - n. the main computer in a system which provides records and services that are used by the other computers 23significant - adj. large enough to be noticed or have an effect; very important 24digital - adj. relating to the use of computer technology 25impact - v. to have a strong and often bad effect on something or someone