Despite popular belief that streaming your favorite movies and TV shows online is not problematic for the planet, there might be ways in which streaming platforms increase the carbon footprint. The entertainment industry is expanding every day, and more and more people are getting involved with it.
It can not be denied that a lot of movie fans tend to stream movies and TV shows on various streaming platforms rather than opting to watch them in movie theatres. It is also quite common these days for production houses to distribute any new and upcoming TV series on streaming platforms rather than choosing to stream on TV channels.
Despite having no visible impact on the environment, these minor changes in the entertainment industry are creating a huge impact. Let’s see how streaming platforms increase the carbon footprint and what can be done to minimize the impact.
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Do Streaming Platforms Increase The Carbon Footprint?
Be it watching a suspense thriller or streaming your favorite K-Dramas, there are a lot of things that people are not aware of while streaming shows online. So how can Netflix, HBO, and other streaming platforms increase the carbon footprint?
A lot of human activities like eating, shopping, and even traveling leaves a significant carbon footprint that is damaging to the environment. Despite that, people are not very aware that streaming platforms can also do the same in a roundabout way. It is a fact that most streaming platforms are not just available on television screens, but can be accessed on laptops, PCs, and mobile devices as well.
Most people believe that streaming is an online activity and will not leave a carbon footprint. But what if I were to tell you that streaming platforms increase the carbon footprint despite being quite sustainable?
How Streaming Effects The Environment?
If we were to take a deep dive into the cost of streaming things, we will first have to look at the production value of a show. Now we will have to compare the number of shows available on each platform. If we take a look at the carbon footprint of all these activities, it will be impossible to deny that streaming platforms increase the carbon footprint.
Ever since the popularity of streaming platforms has increased, almost every production house is creating newer and better shows to present to viewers. Each streaming service has a couple of new shows coming out every month, but what about the environmental impact of creating so many new shows? This impact is the reason that streaming platforms increase the carbon footprint without contributing much to the issue.
The inability to understand that to keep streaming platforms going, production houses will have to keep on making new movies and TV shows results in increased environmental impact. Additionally, a lot of people tend to invest in multiple streaming devices to access them, depending on their ease of access. If we were to consider the carbon footprint of producing certain devices like televisions and computers, it can be said that they are pretty detrimental to the environment.
Can Streaming Become More Sustainable?
There is enough proof to determine that streaming platforms increase the carbon footprint, but what can be done to resolve the issue? The production of new movies, TV shows, and streaming devices is essentially having a massive impact on the environment.
It is also important to note that platforms like YouTube also fall under the category of streaming services. However, such streaming services also include a lot of independent content created by content creators, and the carbon footprint of creating those videos can not be calculated.
Even though streaming content online is way more sustainable than the previous ways, the environmental impact has remained the same due to the increased demand for streaming services. It can be said that if the same number of people were to use movie theatres to watch movies, then the carbon footprint will be exponentially larger.
It is basically like creating solar dancing toys that have way less impact on the environment, but because they have a certain amount of carbon footprint due to their production, the overall impact is quite significant. However, if you were to sell normal toys that had the same consumption rate then the carbon footprint will be even bigger.
Ways To Make Streaming Platforms Sustainable!
It can be said that streaming platforms are comparatively sustainable in terms of other ways to consume media. However, despite it, some other steps can be taken to increase the sustainability of streaming platforms. After all, it can not be denied that streaming platforms increase the carbon footprint.
The first way to ensure reduced carbon footprints, production houses must not make multiple shows without much reason or need. It is better to produce exceptional movies and TV shows even if they are lesser in quantity. However, if that is not a feasible option, then production houses can also follow certain practices to reduce their carbon footprint.
Additionally, streaming platforms can easily influence people by promoting sustainable habits and promoting alternate energy sources. This way, streaming platforms will be able to balance out the increasing carbon footprint by helping it reduce in other aspects. Even though this is not a perfect solution, this will somewhat help lower the increased carbon footprint.
Final Words
I have covered everything about the environmental impact of streaming platforms and how streaming platforms increase the carbon footprint. If you are excited to watch your favorite horror movies online or some amazing romance movies, you should keep in mind that they can be damaging to the environment.
You can also stay tuned with me to learn more about your favorite movies and TV shows and fun facts about them. You can also learn how to watch certain movies or where to watch your favorite movies and TV shows online.