A report warns of the effects of watching “Netflix” and digital platforms for long hours on climate change

A new report warns that watching the top 10 Netflix series for 30 days increases carbon emissions very seriously.

The report from the Greening of Streaming organization, which was created to “address the growing concerns about the energy impact of the broadcasting sector”, noted that digital platforms have a negative impact on the environment due to the energy required to transmit data, a large proportion of which is generated from energy sources. Non-renewables, such as gas and coal, which emit harmful greenhouse gases, according to the British newspaper, “The Guardian”.
She explained that in order for users to be able to watch content on the “Netflix” network and other digital platforms, the data must travel through a network of energy-efficient cables, routers and data centers.

She continued, noting that while data centers accommodate those millions of computers, known as “servers”, needed to run the Internet, they require huge amounts of power 24/7.

According to Netflix itself, the average carbon footprint of one hour of broadcasting within the continent of Europe is equivalent to about 55 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent.

scary analogy

The Greening of Streaming Foundation likened the carbon emissions resulting from watching the top 10 series by all 209 million Netflix subscribers around the world, for just a month, as “driving a car beyond Saturn,” more than 746 million miles. .

Popular Netflix series such as “Money Heist”, “Stranger Things” and “Bridgerton” have racked up hundreds of millions of hours since their first show on the digital platform.

In March, Netflix announced its goal of reducing net carbon emissions by the end of 2022.

Most watched Netflix shows in the first 28 days

In September 2021, Netflix first announced its most-watched movies and TV shows.

She pointed out that the series “Bridgerton” topped the list of shows in terms of hours watched in the first 28 days after its first show (625 million hours).

And she added that the first season of the series was watched by 82 million accounts on “Netflix” during the same period.

As for films, the horror movie “Birdbox” starring Sandra Bullock ranked first in terms of the number of hours watched in the first 28 days, surpassing Martin Scorsese’s “Extraction” and “The Irishman”.