Sustainable Web Development: Essential Resources for 2022
Written on
Introduction to Sustainable Web Development
The internet is not as environmentally friendly as it could be. A recent study by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden highlights that approximately 10% of the global electricity supply is consumed by online activities. As web developers creating applications that utilize energy and contribute to carbon footprints, it's crucial for us to be aware of our environmental impact.
Embarking on the journey of researching sustainability in web development can feel daunting. Having recently begun this exploration myself, I would like to share some valuable resources for anyone eager to delve into this field.
Resource Compilation for Sustainable Development
- Choosing Eco-Friendly Hosting Providers
- Green Web Foundation — A directory of sustainable hosting options
- How to Select a Green Web Host — Guidelines for making informed choices
- Monitoring Green Energy Use
- Green Energy Map — Track renewable energy consumption through electricityMap
- Understanding Digital Emissions
- Sustainable Web Design — A breakdown of carbon calculations
- Cloud Carbon Footprint — Methodologies for improved carbon tracking
- Why Internet Energy Estimates Vary — Insights into discrepancies in consumption data
- Eco-Friendly Website Testing Tools
- Ecograder — Evaluate your website's sustainability
- Website Carbon — Carbon impact calculator
- Cabin — Web analytics focused on carbon consciousness
- Beacon — Daily monitoring of carbon emissions
- Ecoping — Track daily carbon footprint
- Zifera — Analyze and optimize your digital footprint
- Code Libraries and APIs for Sustainability
- Green Web Foundation — Access the CO2 Library and Lighthouse Plugin
- Wholegrain Digital — Carbon API (V2 deprecated; V3 will be open-sourced soon)
- Green Web Foundation — Hosting provider checking API
- Guidance for Sustainable Development Practices
- What is Sustainable Web Design? — An overview of eco-friendly design principles
- The Low Impact Manifesto — Principles for sustainable development
- 17 Ways to Enhance Website Efficiency — Practical tips for reducing resource use
- Principles of Green Software Engineering — Best practices for eco-friendly coding
- Gatsby Static Sites (self-promotion) — Insight into efficient site generation
- Done is Better Than Perfect — Emphasizing progress over perfection
Although I initially intended for this post to be more than just a compilation of links, the deeper I dive into each subject, the more I realize there is to learn. Each area—calculating digital emissions, creating sustainable applications, and evaluating hosting efficiency—deserves its own dedicated discussion, and I plan to address them in future posts.
I welcome any additional resources or links you may have discovered, and I will keep this list updated as new information emerges.
Wishing you success in your sustainable development endeavors,
Kitson
Chapter 1: The Environmental Impact of the Internet
The need for awareness regarding our digital consumption.
Section 1.1: The Significance of Sustainable Hosting
Exploring the importance of eco-friendly hosting options.
Section 1.2: Evaluating Digital Emissions
Understanding how to measure the carbon footprint of web applications.
Chapter 2: Tools and Resources for Sustainable Practices
A look at various tools that can aid in sustainable web development.