Database Provider

Hot Mess

Author

Hot Mess

Grades

6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

Subjects

Science, Social Studies, Economics

Resource Type

Video, 3 minutes, 59 seconds, CC, Subtitles

Regional Focus

Global

Format

YouTube Video

How Much Energy Does the Internet Use?

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Synopsis

This engaging PBS video discusses the connection between the Internet and energy usage.
The video highlights different perspectives, discussing ways the Internet expends energy as well as reduces climate impacts.

Teaching Tips

Positives

The video incorporates a wide variety of text, music, and graphics to engage the audience and increase understanding.

Additional Prerequisites

Students will benefit from understanding the connection between fossil fuels, electricity, and climate change.
There is an advertisement at the end of the video. Content concludes at 3 minutes, 24 seconds.

Differentiation

English classes could use this video as a topic for written persuasive texts or debates. The resources The True Cost of Cryptocurrency, China's Bitcoin Mining is Threatening Its Climate Change Targets, Life Cycle of Electronic Devices, C-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator would be useful for this activity.
Economics classes can use this when identifying the ways technologies increase economic growth and standards of living.

Scientist Notes

The world is becoming more digital through the Internet, and the resource attempts to evaluate carbon footprints from this sector. Although data centers and hubs use a lot of energy, the benefits of the Internet have made life and communication seamless. Other sectors like transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, etc. contribute CO₂ emissions more than emissions from data centers. This resource is recommended for teaching.

Standards

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
- MS-ESS3-4 Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

Dimension 1: Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries
- D1.2.6-8 Explain points of agreement experts have about interpretations and applications of disciplinary concepts and ideas associated with a compelling question.

Dimension 4: Taking Informed Action
- D4.6.6-8 Draw on multiple disciplinary lenses to analyze how a specific problem can manifest itself at local, regional, and global levels over time, identifying its characteristics and causes, and the challenges and opportunities faced by those trying to address the problem.

Dimension 2: Economics
- D2.Eco.13.9-12 Explain why advancements in technology and investments in capital goods and human capital increase economic growth and standards of living.

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