Are emails "carbon neutral"?

Question

Are emails "carbon neutral"?

Answer 1

Does your computer run on air? No it doesn't , it uses electricity. Ergo, not carbon neutral. Power plants have a lot of carbon output.

Answer 2

Nope.

You have to have your computer running, which uses electricity.

The email company you're using has to have its computer running.

And whoever recieves the email needs their computer on.

=)

Answer 3

very close, but not perfect.

there is a small amount of energy used by the sender (his/her computer)  and by the receiver's computer to display it.

Answer 4

Mine aren't um using a 2500 kw diesel generator to run my house

Answer 5

no, it takes computing power+electricity, which uses carbon emissions, and the computer itself puts off carbon dioxide.

Answer 6

It depends on who provides your electric, who you bought your computer from, who the recipent bought their computer from. Who provide electric for them?  If there is a central hub somewhere, who provided their equipment and electric?

If any of these answers lead to a company that has not devoted themselves to become carbon neutral, then the answer is the no.  And I think you are going to find this answer to be no for many many years to come, until all companies are forced to be carbon neutral, if that is even possible.

Answer 7

Hardly,  it takes electricity to create and send an email.  This is produced by a power plant.  More than likely it is being produced by Coal in the US.  Therefore, it is not carbon neutral.  So for those of us who don't care about making our lives carbon neutral, keep emailing.

Answer 8

Heck NO!  To send an e mail, you need to purchase some sort of electronic, high tech "doo-dad".  These devices require lots of energy to produce and even more to transport to market.  They also require electricity and that leads to exponential global waming.  

The correct "carbon neutral" way to send messages is via semaphore, though you have to use biodegradable hemp flags and not the plastic ones approved by the USCG!