One thing we’ve learned at QEM over the past months is that COVID is no longer an excuse for inaction. And while the global pandemic is still at the forefront of all of our minds, it doesn’t mean we can shelve other pressing concerns, like the climate crisis.
The internet’s carbon footprint
At QEM, we’re committed to reducing our impact on the environment in every way we can. However, we hope not only to reduce our carbon emissions as we work, but to address them holistically – in how we live and relax when we’re far from the office, too. One really simple lifestyle change is switching the way we search the internet. You might not immediately think that one little Google search would make much difference to the climate change crisis, but scientists have established that just two web searches can generate the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle. When our daily wanderings around the web add up, that amounts to quite a lot of energy used!
A greener way to browse
So, what has QEM done about it? We’re adopting Ecosia as our chosen search engine, and are asking all our employees and associates to do the same. Ecosia is carbon neutral – it works much like Google, but Ecosia invests advertising profit into planting trees where they’re needed most. The free browser extension already has some 15 million active users and has planted over 111 million trees across the globe, to date.
Planting to help global communities
They don’t just plant any old trees where they fancy, either. Ecosia’s efforts not only protect our environment, but have a positive impact on the livelihoods of the poorest, and the future of our most precarious animal species. From finding alternatives to palm oil, to restoring Ethiopia’s water cycle, to safeguarding orangutan habitat, empowering women, and to growing coffee for peace, Ecosia’s projects are strategic, proven, and critically important. And we can support all of them with a couple of minutes’ set up.
Join QEM in using Ecosia now
It’s simple. Here’s how:
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Visit www.ecosia.org
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Click the big blue button saying ‘Add Ecosia to Chrome’ / ‘Add Ecosia to Edge’
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Follow the steps dependent on your chosen search engine