Most broadband companies are owned by multi-nationals, so unless you have free Internet provided for you, it’s good to consider switching. If you use the Internet on your phone, then switching to a greener phone company.
One good provider is Earth Broadband, which can switch you over in around 2 weeks (you can also transfer your landline number to them, and receive a new router). Profits help to restore forests, protect ecosystems, save wildlife habitats and prevent climate change. Set up as the alternative to ‘profit-driven dinosaur’ companies, there are three levels (including for business) with simple tariffs.
affordable broadband for all
With just 14% of UK residents enjoying full-fibre connection (this is important so you can do more in less time online, then turn the laptop off!), campaigners want broadband to be cheaper to help rural start-ups and those who work and study from home. Digital Poverty Alliance reports that 2.5 million people are behind with broadband bills.
EnableNet is a non-profit set up by a Scottish entrepreneur that makes broadband affordable for everyone. Just enter your postcode, sign up and they do the rest (there’s a 6 month contract with rolling payments after) and each sign-up lets them to donate broadband packages to families in need.
There are also regional broadband packages like Community Fibre (London – from around £17 a month with studenet discounts) and Broadband for the Rural North (discounts for people on benefits and a special monthly tariff until your other deal runs out – this does not use overwhead copper lines, so water ingress and high winds/storms don’t affect connection).
help a cause (as you surf the web)
Search engines work by crawling billions of pages using ‘spiders’ that use energy (carbon dioxide) to access the servers. Although the Internet can be used for good, not wasting time searching for images of things you don’t need (we’re talking to you, Pinterest!) is a good way to help stop climate change. Read more on how to simplify your online life.
One simple way to help others is to change your search engine to one that gives something back for each search (usually paid by sponsors). The main one is Ecoisa, which plants trees worldwide each time you search, is free to download and works with Google Chrome. Other options include:
- Everyclick (sign up and raise money for your local charity). If your community all use it for just 2 searches daily, in a short while you could raise thousands of pounds for your animal shelter, homeless hostel or hospital.
- Lilo helps turtles, rainforests and local disadvantaged children.
- Give Water & Elliot for Water help bring clean water to those in need.
- Ekoru helps to clean up our oceans
