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10 Actions You Didn’t Expect to Be So Carbon-Intensive
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When we think about carbon footprints, our minds typically jump to the obvious culprits - air travel, gas-guzzling cars, or industrial pollution. But what if some of the most surprisingly carbon-intensive actions are things we do every day without a second thought?
From a quick "thank you" email to streaming your favorite Netflix series, many of our daily habits rely on vast networks of energy-intensive infrastructure that leave a much bigger environmental footprint than we realize. The truth is, even the smallest conveniences - like ordering next-day delivery or listening to a song on repeat - have hidden emissions tied to them.
Of course, this doesn’t mean we need to stop using the internet, enjoying our morning coffee, or sending memes to friends. But understanding the hidden carbon costs of these everyday actions allows us to make more informed choices, whether that’s switching to more sustainable habits or simply being mindful of the impact of the things we take for granted.
👉 In this article, we’ll uncover some of the most unexpectedly carbon-intensive things and gestures you might not have considered - along with practical ways to reduce your footprint.
Why the smallest actions can have a big impact
When it comes to reducing carbon emissions, the focus is often on major lifestyle changes - cutting down on flights, switching to renewable energy, or driving an electric vehicle. But what about the seemingly minor actions we take every day? Can something as small as watching a video in HD or leaving an old email unread really make a difference?
The answer lies in scale and infrastructure. A single person’s decision to stream a movie in 4K instead of standard definition may seem insignificant, but when billions of people do the same thing, the energy demand skyrockets. Similarly, storing a few forgotten emails in your inbox isn’t a problem - but consider that global data centers, which power everything from cloud storage to video streaming, already contribute around 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure expected to grow in the coming years.
Then there’s the supply chain factor. Many of the things we consume - whether it’s a fresh bouquet of flowers or an avocado - come with a hidden trail of emissions from production, packaging, transportation, and disposal. Even digital habits, which feel invisible, rely on massive networks of servers, energy-intensive cooling systems, and power-hungry transmission networks that keep data flowing across the world.
None of this means we should stop streaming, emailing, or eating avocados. But by recognizing the hidden carbon footprints behind these everyday actions, we can make small yet meaningful changes that add up over time.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most surprising carbon-intensive things and gestures you might not have considered.
1. Streaming videos in HD – the hidden Impact of data centers and electricity use
Watching your favorite Netflix series or YouTube videos in HD or 4K might feel like a small luxury - but behind the scenes, it requires a massive amount of energy.
Every time you stream a video, the data travels through an energy-intensive system: data centers that store and process the content, network infrastructure that transmits it, and your device that plays it. Higher-resolution videos require more data to be processed and transmitted, increasing energy demand.
💡 The carbon footprint: Streaming one hour of video on a normal TV generates roughly 55g of CO2, but streaming in HD generates up to 67g of CO2. The impact is even higher for 4K content, as it uses about five times more data than HD.
What can you do? Lowering your streaming resolution when possible, downloading videos instead of streaming repeatedly, or using WiFi instead of mobile data can all reduce emissions.
2. Sending emails and storing files in the cloud – the digital footprint you don’t see
A quick "thank you" email may seem harmless, but emails - and digital storage in general - have an unseen carbon cost.
Every email sent, every document stored in the cloud, and every unread subscription newsletter sitting in your inbox requires storage in massive data centers, which are constantly powered and cooled. While an individual email’s impact is tiny, the scale of global email traffic makes it a surprisingly large contributor to emissions.
💡 The carbon footprint: A standard email generates about 0.3g of CO2, while one with an attachment can be up to 50g of CO2. According to a study by OVO Energy, if every adult in the UK sent just one fewer "thank you" email per day, it could save approximately 16,433 tonnes of carbon annually - equivalent to taking 3,334 diesel cars off the road.
What can you do? Unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t read, delete old emails, and use messaging apps instead of emails for short conversations.
3. Buying cut flowers – the carbon cost of your bouquet
A bouquet of fresh roses or lilies is a beautiful gift, but few people consider the environmental cost behind it.
Many flowers sold in Europe and North America are grown in heated greenhouses in the Netherlands or transported thousands of kilometers from Kenya, Colombia, or Ecuador. They require refrigeration throughout the entire supply chain - from transport to storage - consuming energy at every step.
💡 The carbon footprint: A Valentine’s Day bouquet made up of 5 stem roses flown from Kenya to Europe has a carbon footprint of about 31 kg CO₂e.
What can you do? Choose locally grown, seasonal flowers or opt for potted plants that last longer.
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4. Wearing fast fashion just a few times – the high emissions of short-lived clothing
Fast fashion makes it easy to buy trendy clothes at low prices, but these garments often have a short lifespan, leading to enormous textile waste and emissions.
Many fast fashion items are made with synthetic fibers like polyester, which are derived from petroleum. The production process is energy-intensive, and discarded clothing often ends up in landfills, where it releases methane - a potent greenhouse gas.
💡 The carbon footprint: According to the WWF, producing one cotton T-shirt requires 2,700 liters of water and emits 7 kilograms of CO2. Data produced by UNEP estimates that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions - more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
What can you do? Buy fewer, higher-quality clothes, choose sustainable brands, and extend the life of your garments by repairing or upcycling them.
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5. Drinking almond milk or eating avocados – the water and carbon cost of trendy foods
Almond milk and avocados are often marketed as sustainable alternatives, but their production has a high environmental cost.
Almond farming requires enormous amounts of water - over 371 liters of water per liter of almond milk. Meanwhile, the avocado industry is a major driver of deforestation in Mexico, where illegal farming contributes to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.
💡 The carbon footprint: A study conducted by Carbon Footprint Ltd found that a small pack of two avocados has an emissions footprint of 846.36g CO₂, almost twice the size of one kilogram of bananas (480g CO₂). The high carbon footprint is largely due to the long-distance transportation required to export avocados from countries like Mexico and Peru to consumer markets in Europe and North America, as well as the deforestation and water-intensive farming associated with their production.
What can you do? Reduce consumption, diversify plant-based options, and choose avocados from certified sustainable sources.
6. Using ride-sharing apps instead of public transport – the "dead miles" effect
Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft may seem like a greener alternative to owning a car - but they often result in higher emissions per passenger than personal vehicles.
Many ride-sharing drivers spend time driving without passengers, contributing to "dead miles" where the car is still emitting CO2 but not serving anyone. Studies also show that many ride-sharing trips replace public transport trips, increasing overall emissions.
💡 The carbon footprint: Ride-sharing emits 69% more CO₂ per passenger than personal car trips, mainly due to dead miles and inefficient routing.
What can you do? Use public transport, cycling, or walking when possible. If ride-sharing is necessary, opt for shared rides or electric vehicles.
7. Overcharging devices or leaving electronics plugged in – the phantom energy drain
Ever left your laptop, phone charger, or TV plugged in overnight? Even when not in use, many devices continue to draw power - something referred to as phantom energy consumption.
Electronics with standby mode (TVs, gaming consoles, microwaves) still consume electricity 24/7, adding unnecessary emissions.
💡 The carbon footprint: Phantom energy accounts for 5-10% of household electricity use, costing billions in wasted energy annually. This rises to 21% for industrial buildings.
What can you do? Unplug devices when not in use or use smart power strips that cut power automatically.
8. Sending GIFs and memes on social media – the surprising digital carbon cost
GIFs and memes are a fun way to communicate, but they require far more data transmission than simple text messages.
Unlike regular images, GIFs are often large files that require continuous looping, consuming more bandwidth and energy. When multiplied across millions of users sharing GIFs daily, the emissions add up.
💡 The carbon footprint: Sending a message via a private messaging app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger is estimated to be only slightly less carbon-intensive than sending an email. The impact varies depending on the content - GIFs, emojis, and images have a much greater footprint than plain text.
What can you do? Use static images or compressed GIFs where possible.
9. Washing clothes too often – the hidden energy waste and microplastic pollution
Many of us throw clothes into the wash after just one wear, but frequent laundering comes with an overlooked environmental cost.
Each wash cycle consumes energy and water, especially when using hot settings, which require significantly more electricity. But beyond energy use, washing synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic sheds microplastics - tiny plastic fibers that pollute waterways and oceans. These microplastics can’t be filtered out by wastewater treatment plants and end up in marine ecosystems, where they harm aquatic life and enter the food chain.
💡 The carbon footprint: Washing clothes accounts for 26 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually in the U.S. alone. Additionally, 35% of all microplastics in the ocean come from washing synthetic textiles.
What can you do? Wash less frequently, switch to cold water cycles (which use up to 80% less energy), and install a microfiber filter to catch plastic fibers before they enter waterways.
10. Listening to music on repeat via Streaming – the hidden cost of playing the same song over and over
Music streaming may seem eco-friendly, but each stream requires data retrieval from cloud servers. If you listen to the same song multiple times, re-downloading it every time instead of saving it consumes unnecessary energy.
💡 The carbon footprint: Downloading music instead of streaming can significantly reduce carbon emissions. According to a report by Rolling Stone, there would be an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions if all songs were downloaded instead of streamed, due to decreased energy consumption during playback.
What can you do? Download frequently played music to your device.
Small changes, big impact
It’s easy to assume that only major lifestyle shifts - like switching to an electric car or cutting down on flights - can reduce our carbon footprint. But as we’ve seen, even the smallest daily habits, from streaming a TV show in HD to leaving old emails sitting in your inbox, come with an environmental cost.
The good news? Awareness is the first step toward change. While we may not eliminate these carbon-intensive actions entirely, making small adjustments - like washing clothes less often, downloading music instead of streaming repeatedly, or opting for locally grown flowers - can collectively make a meaningful difference.
Just as industries and governments must act to reduce emissions on a large scale, individual choices still play a role in shaping a more sustainable world. So next time you send a quick email, watch a video, or grab a takeaway coffee, remember: even the most unexpected things have a carbon footprint - but a few mindful changes can help shrink it.
| Carbon-Intensive Action | Why It’s Impactful | Simple Ways to Reduce It |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming videos in HD | Requires large data transfers, increasing server energy use | Lower resolution when possible, download content |
| Sending emails and storing old files | Data centers consume energy 24/7 to store emails and files | Delete old emails, unsubscribe from newsletters |
| Buying cut flowers | Transported long distances, require refrigeration | Choose locally grown, seasonal flowers |
| Wearing fast fashion for a short time | High production emissions, synthetic fabrics shed microplastics | Buy quality over quantity, support sustainable brands |
| Drinking almond milk or eating avocados | Water-intensive crops, deforestation concerns | Opt for oat milk, buy avocados from certified sources |
| Using ride-sharing apps | Increases "dead miles" and emissions per passenger | Use public transport, carpool, or cycle |
| Overcharging devices or leaving them plugged in | "Phantom energy" consumption even when not in use | Unplug devices, use smart power strips |
| Sending GIFs and memes on social media | Large files require more energy to transmit and store | Use compressed files, limit unnecessary messaging |
| Using disposable coffee pods | Aluminum and plastic waste, energy-intensive production | Choose reusable coffee pods or a French press |
| Washing clothes too often | Consumes energy and releases microplastics into waterways | Wash less frequently, use cold water, install microfiber filters |
| Listening to music via streaming on repeat | Requires continuous data retrieval, increasing server loads | Download music for offline listening |
How Greenly can help your company
At Greenly, we help businesses understand and reduce their carbon footprint by providing comprehensive carbon management solutions. Our platform offers:
- Carbon tracking and reporting – Measure your emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 to identify key areas for reduction.
- Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) – Gain insights into the environmental impact of your products and processes.
- Tailored decarbonization strategies – Create custom action plans to lower emissions effectively.
- Supplier sustainability insights – Improve supply chain sustainability with data-driven recommendations.
We believe that reducing emissions doesn’t have to be complicated - with the right tools and insights, companies can make sustainability both achievable and actionable.
Want to learn more about how Greenly can help your business cut its carbon footprint? Get in touch with us today.
Sources:
- IEA, Data Centres and Data Transmission Networks, https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings/data-centres-and-data-transmission-networks
- Carbon Trust, Carbon impact of video streaming, https://www.carbontrust.com/en-eu/our-work-and-impact/guides-reports-and-tools/carbon-impact-of-video-streaming
- Ovo Energy, ‘Think Before You Thank’, https://company.ovo.com/think-before-you-thank-if-every-brit-sent-one-less-thank-you-email-a-day-we-would-save-16433-tonnes-of-carbon-a-year-the-same-as-81152-flights-to-madrid/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- WWF, Fast fashion disaster, https://www.wwf.org.uk/myfootprint/challenges/fast-fashion-disaster#:~:text=Huge%20volumes%20of%20water%20are,many%20areas%20around%20the%20world.
- BBC, The hidden impact of your daily water use, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200326-the-hidden-impact-of-your-daily-water-use
- Rolling Stones, Protect the planet: stop streaming songs, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/earth-day-climate-change-streaming-downloading-ajr-1339228/
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