Sustainable Web Design: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

# Sustainable Web Design: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint The internet accounts for approximately 4% of global carbon emissions—more than the airline industry. As web professionals, we have a responsibility to build more sustainable digital products. ## Why Sustainable Design Matters Every website visit consumes energy: - Data transfer - Server processing - End-user device power - Cooling systems ## Sustainable Design Principles ### 1. Performance = Sustainability Faster websites use less energy: ```typescript // Optimize images import Image from 'next/image'; ``` ### 2. Efficient Code - Remove unused dependencies - Implement code splitting - Use modern image formats (WebP, AVIF) - Minimize JavaScript execution ### 3. Dark Mode Dark mode can save up to 60% battery on OLED screens: ```css @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) { :root { --background: #000; --foreground: #fff; } } ``` ## Green Hosting Choose hosting providers powered by renewable energy: - Google Cloud (carbon neutral) - AWS (renewable energy commitment) - Vercel (carbon-aware) ## Measuring Impact Use tools to measure your website's carbon footprint: - Website Carbon Calculator - Ecograder - Lighthouse CI ## Conclusion Sustainable web design isn't just good for the planet—it creates better user experiences with faster load times and lower costs.