I first wrote a post with this title back in October of 2022, when carbon aware websites were just beginning to be discussed in earnest. It was shortly after I reposted this article on the subject of a carbon aware web.
It’s Always not so sunny in Philadelphia*
At first glance, it all sounded great. Shift the workload onto locations that had the most sun, wind or water-based clean energy. Lower the footprint of the web in a programmatic, technical manner. Tech solving techs’ problems. Idyllic right?
In 2022 I had written a comprehensive post noting these great possibilities, but also all of my fears. I had fears that similar methods were beginning to be implemented by big businesses like Microsoft and Apple without really testing the theory and scale. I contemplated the idea that like the jevons paradox, it would actually mean we use the web more. I was concerned that we would simply shift the workload onto whichever country had the most clean energy, with no real thought to whether their national grid or systems could handle it, or whether indeed, it was even ethical to do that.
Why am I telling you all of this?
Well, it has been two years. I never posted the aforementioned blog. I felt like I was the only one with a pessimistic view of the whole thing, so, I kept quiet. In hindsight, I think that was the wrong thing to do.
Where is the original post now?
As a good citizen of the internet, one who likes to manage content over time, I deleted the original post some time ago. After I had decided not to post it, I deleted it. I only had one copy of it, drafted. So it was good bye, see you later. Never to be read by anyone but me.
So what now?
Time has past. Some amazing progress has been made by some awesome and talented folk. Some other projects rolled back after further research on the subject was completed.
Importantly, my view has changed, at least somewhat. I see the overwhelming benefits that a carbon aware web could have.
An exciting new venture
With that change in mindset, and a wonderful invitation landing in my inbox, I’m excited about joining a new project that I can talk more about very soon.
I’m looking forward to delving deeper, learning alongside others and ultimately creating something useful – that could have a massive positive impact on the world.
In a nutshell. Watch this space. I will be posting about the journey and learnings as things progress over the coming months.
* A play on the title of an American sitcom I was watching at the time of the original post.