In this new 2020 year, FOUND will be focusing our collective energy on doing the most for our ever-giving planet, because it's time for action rather than conversation. Our messaging on our Pastime blog and social media channels will be powerful but few, our presence on this platform strong and thought through. Join us in taking steps towards awareness of our actual and very polluting digital footprint.
Back in 2016, our FOUNDer was blogging about mindfulness and a necessary digital detox, especially before bed. Today, that same approach is woven into this blog but with a much greater sense of urgency and more glass shattering facts that are undeniably harming us and our planet.
Curious Links
This QUARTZ article really unveils some truth around the environmental impacts of our modern conveniences
This infographic helps breakdown everything without us attempting to paraphrase
Visually see a creative depiction of the consequences of Google Searches thanks to the genius that is Joana Mull.
Actionable Items
Delete redundant images from your phone, ones that no longer serve you or need to take up room in the cloud creating a footprint. The same goes for emails, texts, and especially videos as they are likely much larger files.
Conscious social uploading and sharing; consider the value of each image and words before publishing. We challenge you to scrub your feed and delete what isn’t necessary or serving you and our collective.
Consider less screen time altogether. Manage your consumption consciously by setting time limits on apps, and please lock your phone when you’re putting it away to not drain the battery power (this is all too common, Boomers).
Be more conscious in your time online—what are you searching for? What are you consuming?
Every piece of data we consume digitally is hosted in a data center (think GIANT warehouses full of computers using energy 24/7). Many of these massive centers are powered by unsustainable fossil fuels. Let's make a choice to approach our time online with as much conscious effort as in the rest of our lives.
Going forward, we won’t be communicating online or even just online as much because we believe the publishing filter should be more tightly woven and we urge you to do the same. See you IRL.
Peace,
FOUND
Extra Mile Questions to Ask Yourself
How much do you purchase online? What are you doing with all the boxes and packaging?
How often are you walking or biking to get your errands done vs. driving?
Are your bank statements and bills still being mailed to you?
How long are your showers?
What are you putting into our collective water systems? Detergents, hair chemicals, etc.
Are you air drying clothes or do you always use the dryer?
Have you considered THINX over tampons?
Are you composting?
Turn off your lights!
How many one-time use items do you use each day? Are they compostable or biodegradable or are they plastics?
What’s your air travel co2 footprint?
What’s your digital footprint? Remember, digital footprints are outnumbering air traffic.
How much meat are you consuming? Remember too, the footprint of the meat industry outweighs all travel CO2 emissions combined!