Keep Camera's Off to Save the Environment

Good news for those who don't want to turn on their cameras during video calls. Keeping your camera off is actually better for the environment! This is the perfect excuse to stay in your pajamas all day if you work remotely. 

In a Study published in late 2020, researchers analyzed the environmental impact of internet use. This study brought to light the widespread unawareness of the environmental consequences associated with the internet’s data transmission, storage, and use. 

The pandemic’s many stay at home orders around the world has resulted in an increased use of the internet, as we depend on it for our entertainment, socialization, and work. At Safetech, we have remained robust and productive during the pandemic by encouraging our staff to work remotely. Like many other businesses, we have turned to the internet to subsidize our in person tasks, such as meetings. 

According to the study, one hour of videoconferencing emits about 157 grams of greenhouse gases. Since audio calls use significantly less data compared to video calls, simply turning off the video camera during that one hour could reduce the emissions by 96%. 

Obviously this news was met with enthusiasm amongst our colleagues. C’mon, who wouldn’t be excited over such a fabulous excuse to not show your crusty, “I just rolled out of bed,” look during a work meeting. 

The study mentions, if 1 million videoconference users who averaged 15 hours of video calls per week were to turn their camera’s off, they would collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9023 tons each month. Considering Safetech’s goal to be carbon neutral in the next few decades, keeping our background clutter off camera during meetings is just a cherry on top of our cake. 

At Safetech we are open to new ideas and strategies to be more environmentally sustainable. Therefore, best believe we will not be turning our cameras on during meetings if unnecessary and we encourage you to do the same!