Linked is the source article from an employee from Automattic.
Automattic is an internet company behind products like WordPress, Tumblr (popular blogging sites) and many other tools that make the internet accessible to those who aren’t very tech savvy. In a move in 2020 they chose to move towards offsetting their carbon emissions, moving towards zero net emissions. This means they quantified the carbon they emit and set a price of the damage that carbon does. The total damage that Automattic does is then paid to others so they can reduce their emissions. This, in theory, provides resources for those who can reduce their emissions more easily the ability to do so.
You may ask why not go entirely to renewables? Currently the infrastructure in certain areas does not permit people and companies to draw 100% renewable energy. Some of the next best things that can be done is reduce and offset your emissions. The author later goes on to discuss how their company’s European data center is drawing 100% renewable energy. That is a credit to the European infrastructure for being able to generate and maintain that much energy.
Some may wonder how an Internet company can have emissions in the first place. All things involving energy and power CAN have emissions, that comes with the territory of energy creation. Powering their computers and servers, cooling their operating areas so they don’t overheat to just maintain office areas and having employees commute can be factored into Automattic’s overall footprint. The author goes onto note that employees largely work from home further reducing the company’s total emissions.
The author of the article goes into detail on explaining how their company came to a plan of action, what steps they took, and who is helping them offset their footprint. It is a good blueprint and interesting read to see how a few employees can change the lives of other individuals and help save the world by doing their part.
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